Sharing little moments together at home can supercharge your child’s development and confidence

BEFORE your child’s fifth birthday, their brain has done an incredible 90 per cent of its growing. And what’s more, even the simplest games at home help those brilliant minds to blossom. Just a cheeky five minutes playing while the kettle is boiling or a half hour on the sofa on a rainy day can get them chatting and boost their confidence.

And, as they grow, it will help them with counting, naming colours and exploring their world. Every smile, cuddle, chat and game makes a huge difference, helping them learn to communicate and make friends, and supporting them to have the best start for life.

Even better, having fun doesn’t need to cost a penny! Just make time to tune in to your little one and grab a giggle when you can. Try to see the world through their eyes. Could a few cushions and a blanket actually be a deep, dark (teddy) bear’s cave?.

Here’s some inspo to get you started. From birth to sitting up to taking a few wobbly steps, your baby’s first year is totally “Whoah, hello world!”. Simple things like chatting about what you’re doing can help spark your baby’s senses and everyday tasks like changing a nappy can be a great time for lovely interaction.

“It’s time to change this nappy.” “Green trousers today!”. Try to make the most of even a few minutes’ downtime. Talk about pictures in a book or sing songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Pop your baby on your lap facing you, hold them securely and just enjoy looking into each other’s eyes and talking or singing.

Face-to-face time helps your baby see your mouth and learn from your expressions. Make funny noises or pull different silly expressions – you’ll soon find out which ones get a gurgle of approval. This easy way to play helps them understand how you make different sounds and then they’ll start making them too.

As walking gets easier and first words start to come, your toddler will be a busy bee – so stand by for action!. Even how you do everyday chores at home amazes them at this stage, and those words soon start to turn into short phrases. Everyday things like cooking and playing help your child to learn new words, put sentences together and practise having conversations.

These are skills that support their wellbeing and help develop their social skills. Use the things they love to help them understand new experiences and situations, from trying new foods to meeting new people and playmates. Invite their dinosaurs to tea and get their senses involved – “Dippy finds this banana squishy!” or “Look, these peas are green like Dippy.”.

Make up a conversation between their dolls – “Hello, my name is Rosie, what’s yours?”. Get a bag – maybe one you take on days out – or a small suitcase, to “pack” for the holiday. Let your little one choose a doll or other favourite toy, and together make up a story about how they are going on an exciting adventure.

Your toddler might choose an imaginary location like a jungle or a pirate ship, somewhere familiar like Grandpa’s house or simply a destination they have visited themselves, such as a beach. Have fun talking about what Dolly is going to do on their holiday and pack the case with things they might want to take, before “waving them off”.

Playing “let’s pretend” games gives your little one a chance to try out their new skills and brings the big real world into their home in small ways they can relate to. Let them build their confidence by creating their own stories, characters and places.

Relating to experiences through the toys they love most can really help, too. “Let’s dress teddy.”. By asking questions like what teddy wants to wear, you’re helping them make connections and take decisions. “Is it cold outside? Should teddy wear a jumper?”.

Put a blanket out and get your toddler to “invite” their favourite cuddlies. Let them choose the picnic – carrot sticks, little sandwiches?. Put a little cold water in a teapot or jug (something unbreakable!) so they can pour the “tea”. You could also both play at being rabbits biting a carrot or mice nibbling cheese.

And don’t forget, your encouragement goes a long way! “You came up with such fun ideas for Teddy’s tea party!”. As sentences get longer, children find it easier to express themselves. At home, little moments together can now include slightly more complicated playtime.

Chatting with your child about what they're doing can really help them to learn new words and how to have conversations. But it’s still totally about fun, even when counting and chatting and games like I Spy are ramping up the way they concentrate and socialise.

Whether there’s time to build a “spaceship” from cardboard boxes together or you use bathtime to make up a story together about the toys going to the beach, it’s all great stuff. Did you love role-playing “shops” when you were little?. Gather a few things like a packet of pasta, a tin of baked beans and some fruit and veg.