I don’t mind what I play with as long as you are with me to talk and play together. If we play together, I learn about other people, I am interested in other children as well. We can meet other parents and children at different activity groups, see what’s on offer at the Children and Family Centres.

You will be invited to book a development review when I am around 12 months old, with our Health Visitor.

Now I am one, I want to practise using my body, crawling around, maybe pulling myself up on the sofa or table, moving from one place to the next, can you look for things that might hurt me and move them out of the way? I love going out to look at cars, animals, people, but don’t want to be in the buggy for too long. If I can get out every now and again, this helps to keep me active and strengthens my body. Click for information about community events and Bexley family events.

I like to look out of the window and listen to different sounds, the birds, aeroplanes, dustcarts and you can tell me all about them. TV and phones are ok for very short periods, but I don’t get a human response and being with people is the best way for me to learn how to talk and make friends. Click for some play ideas and ways to support my language.

Can you hide things under a bowl so I can find them, can we sing songs and look at books, I might be able to point to things I know. I’m learning how to makes noises now and might say ‘mamama’, ‘dadadada’, I love talking with you and really enjoy it when you respond with smiles, wide eyes and talking back. I might start to feed myself, I like to use a spoon, but this takes a long time, so be patient! I might use my hands, as it’s quicker!

I like to push big cars, build with big bricks, use large crayons or chalks on the patio or paper. I like dolls/ teddies, and everyday things like a flannel, brush, pans, plastic cups and plates. I like bubbles, filling and emptying bottles with water or pasta. You can fill water bottles with coloured water and glitter, just glue on the lid to avoid spillages.

I like playing with ribbons, twigs, looking in the mirror, singing songs and looking at books, simple puzzles, cars, animals, balls, everything is so much fun, but I don’t always know what to do with it all. If you can show me and talk to me about what we are doing, that will be even more fun. The stairs at home, or at our friend’s home look great fun, can you come with me so I can climb to the top, I love something that looks a bit tricky, but I need you to keep me safe.