What we call playing is really the way children learn. With toys and their imaginations they practise all the skill they'll need as they grow up. The more they play, the more they learn and the best thing about it is that they love it.

Rattles

Handy Hint

You can give your growing baby or toddler an exciting turnover of different and fascinating toys to complement her favourites by joining your local library.

From 4 months, use washed-out plastic screw-top bottles with lentils or dried beans inside. Glue the top securely so it won't come off. Some dried beans are poisonous and small objects can be dangerous for young children.

Play Dough
From about 18 months, put 1 cup of water, 1 cup of plain flour, 2tbsp of cream of tartar, ½ cup of salt, 1 tbsp of cooking oil, and some food colouring or powder paint in a pan. Stir over a medium heat until this make a dough. Cool and store in a plastic box in the fridge.

Dressing Up
From 18 months, collect old hats, bags, gloves, scarves, nighties, lengths of material, tea towels, old curtains. Ask friends and relatives, or try jumble sales. Take care that clothes for young children do not contain loose cords, strings or ribbons that could wrap around your child's neck and cause strangulation or cause a fall. Paper plates or cut up cereal packets make good masks - cut slits for the eyes and tie on with string.

Drawing & Painting
From 18 months, use crayons, felt tips, powder paint. Add washing up liquid and water to powder paint for a thicker paint. You can use old envelopes slit open and the inside of cereal packets for paper.

Handy Hint

Household paraphernalia offers loads of play potential - saucepans, egg cartons, yoghurt pots etc.

Junk Modelling
From 30 months, collect all sorts of cardboard boxes, cartons, yoghurt pots, milk bottle tops - anything - and some children's glue, strong enough to glue cardboard, but not to mark clothes. The sort with a brush is easiest to use.

Television
Television gives your child a lot of entertainment, and you a bit of peace. It gives you more peace if it's not on all the time. Make sure you know what your child's watching. And watch with your child when you cn so you can talk about what you see.

Playing with Water
Playing with water is fun for all ages - in the bath, sink, a plastic bowl, paddling pool. Use plastic bottles for pouring and squirting, plastic tubing, sponge, colander, straws, funnel, spoons - anything unbreakable. Remember, never leave a young child alone with water.

Reading
Even quite small babies like looking at picture books. Local libraries usually have a good range of children's books and sometimes run story sessions for young children.

Walking
Encourage your child to walk with you (using reins for safety) as soon as he or she is able. It may be slower but children need exercise and so do you.

This information has been compiled with the assistance of the Health Education Authority, England's leading provider of health promotion. It is the national centre of excellence for health education and uses research, campaigns and resources to help the public adopt healthier lifestyles. If there is anything that puzzles you, or it you need further explanation, don't hesitate to ask your doctor, midwife or health visitor.