Your baby learns about most things from you, especially about love. Babies, just like grown-ups need love and attention. Rewarding your baby with a smile, hug or kiss is better than rewarding with a new toy. Your baby will know that she is loved, and that is very important for her growth. With your support, she will feel that she can tackle anything. Some parents think they must set special times aside to play with or to teach their baby new things. That’s a good idea. But sometimes you don’t have big blocks of unhurried time. Children are happy with lots of little bits of your time and attention. They learn to
amuse themselves with your help. There are times when you are waiting for an appointment or standing in line. Here are some ideas to play with your child in those little bits of time. It takes less than 2 minutes to: Give your child a hug and a kiss. Tweak your baby’s toes. Play pat-a-cake or peek– a-boo. Show your baby his nose or chin, or your nose. Admire your baby's shoes. Gently tickle your baby’s tummy at bath time. Lift your baby up over your head. Point to a pretty leaf or flower and make sure your baby sees it. Show your baby the pictures in a book. Give your baby a big smile.

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