Researchers have found two types of play between parents and their children. One style is like a professor lecturing to a class. The other style is called “Ping-Pong,” like a Ping-Pong ball going back and forth. Lecturing doesn’t help babies learn. "Ping-Pong” is best.

To be a ping-pong type teacher, do this. If your baby giggles, you giggle. If your baby hands a block to you, you hand two blocks back. When you do something, your baby will react to what you do. The best learners have adults who spend time playing with them.