Once your baby begins to toddle, hold on to his fingers and let him lead the way around the playground. If your child is able, let go of one hand and let him find his balance. Point out the sights you see along the way. “There are the swings! That boy is going high. Look at the see-saw. It goes up and down.” Greet other children and encourage our baby to interact with them.
This activity will help your baby become more independent as she also learns to calm herself. She will still feel secure with you as she begins to show interest in other children and adults that she does not know.
Meet a friend with a baby around the same age as yours at the playground. Let the babies play side-by-side in the sandbox while you catch up with your friend. Give your child safe toys to play with in the sand and model how to pour the sand through your fingers or into a bucket. Cheer for him when he copies you.
Engaging in this activity will teach your baby independence as she also learns to calm herself. She will feel secure with you as she begins to show interest in other children and adults that she may not know well. She will begin engaging in speech and understand that she is communicating with others. She will become more aware of her surroundings and begin to learn that she can make things happen. She will also learn to coordinate her body to move around.
Find a playground that has infant swings. Your child will love the feeling of the wind in his hair and will probably kick his feet to show his joy. Say and wave “Hello” as he comes closer to you, and “Bye-bye” as he goes away.
Taking your baby to a new location will help her learn to calm herself, become more independent, but still be interested in you. She will communicate with you as she builds her vocabulary. She will learn about the new environment and that she controls things that happen. She will imitate things you say and do as she coordinates her movements.