Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Growing independence
Taking care of themselves
Taking care of themselves can seem tricky when your child is still young, yet co-ordination opportunities such as clapping, or where the child can pass toys from hand to hand, or bang objects together starts to develop this skill. Your baby will know you are there for them as you respond to their needs or want, offering comfort and cuddles.
Play, creativity and curiosity
Add variety to play by introducing different textures and materials, use musical books, or those with ‘lift the flap’. You could make your own stories up too.
Building relationships and communicating
Being with others
Visit the library for a story and rhyme session or join a parent and baby session near you. This not only brings new opportunities to meet new people, but your baby will watch and listen as you talk with others.
Communication and language
When you are out and about
When you're out and about stop and move to the front of the pushchair. Play a 'look what I can see' game of pointing and talking. Pointing helps your child make sense of words. Enjoy experiencing the natural world, including the rain, wind, snow, sand, water and mud!
Listening and engaging in play time
The perfect time to get down to a level where your child can see your face easily. Talk about and copy your child's facial expressions.
Name the things your baby is reaching for, looking at or holding. Do this every time. Sing rhymes and songs over and over again throughout the day. Enjoy games such as peek-a-boo.
Try to limit background noise from the radio or television during play times together. It's important that your baby can tune into your voice.
Physical development
Encourage time out of the car seat or pushchair
Enjoy those opportunities for rolling, crawling and reaching. Little bare feet can also experience different textures, material and surfaces.
Healthy routines
Early morning 'wake up'
Use this time to play together. You could tap and clap along together to favourite songs and stories so your child can play with the rhythm.
Talk through what you are doing as you change their nappy, wash and dress them. You could even encourage them to pull off their own socks! Your child loves to hear your voice, it will soothe and calm them.
Mealtimes
Point, mime and talk about what your child is doing. Tell simple stories after breakfast, lunch and dinner using toys or picture books. Add quiet voices, squeaky voices and other sounds to the stories.
Encourage your child to use their fingers to feed themselves and begin to introduce a spoon. Help your child to wash their hands before and after the meal.
Bath time
Babble together in the bathroom or play a game of saying favourite words or sounds down a cardboard tube (the echo will make it more fun).
Bedtime
Snuggle up and share a bedtime story together each night, this can help calm and soothe ready for bed.
Further ideas
For more ideas talk to your health visitor, children’s centre, nursery or school about Derbyshire ECaT: Every Child a Talker.
Physical activity for early years: birth to 5 years - guidance and infographic on physical activity.
First words and little sentences: 1 to 2 years for more ideas (NHS).