![Malo](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/a/7/d/s/image.related.landscape.380x253.gmogc9.png/1454905681720.jpg)
Top Resources
![Little Lucas signing "eat".](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/8/t/t/k/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.8ttj.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
Teaching your baby sign language
Babies learn to talk during the first two years of their life. By 10 to 14 months babies usually speak their first word but they can learn to use sign language from a much younger age.
![Encourage reading with your baby](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/w/a/1/d/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.ggxcnp.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
Encouraging baby's cognitive skills
A baby will develop their cognitive skills through a range of play activities. You can help encourage this learning through some of these play tips and ideas.
![<i></i>](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/w/s/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gi711v.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
![Letting your child move as much as possible in the early years will help them grow up healthier, smarter, calmer and ...](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/f/g/j/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.3fgji.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
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![baby ipad](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/8/0/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.ghv6ki.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
Latest
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The simple way you can help your baby's language development
The way parents respond to their child's babbling can shape how their infants communicate.
!["We try to do it everyday": Rebecca Armodoros reading to her son Noah, 4, who will begin school soon.](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/9/7/1/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gm8bfx.png/1453097103650.jpg)
The activity to do with your baby that will help them succeed at school
One in five school kids is starting school unprepared.
![<i></i>](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/4/6/g/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.gk50sm.png/1444389131903.jpg)
How 'parentese' helps develop your baby's language skills
Baby talk does more than just entertain babies - it helps foster important language skills, too.
![It's never too early to read to your baby.](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/1/9/7/p/image.related.landscape.300x200.gj299h.png/1439937632107.jpg)
Do you read me, baby?
Is it too soon to be reading to my two-month-old son? If not, what should I read?
![<i></i>](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/w/s/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gi711v.png/1436250783087.jpg)
Entertaining your baby with play
It seems that by now that I would have a lot of things figured out. But figuring out how to play with an infant still remains a challenge.
![baby ipad](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/8/0/d/image.related.landscape.300x200.ghv6ki.png/1435024462167.jpg)
Babies 'benefit from iPads at a young age': study
More often than not, you'll read that screen time for children should be kept to a minimum - but some scientists are now challenging this way of thinking.
![Get down and play at their level](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/x/5/s/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.ghgcjh.png/1434248529740.jpg)
How to play with your baby, from 4 to 12 months
Playing with your baby is a skill that some mums need to learn - it doesn't always come naturally.
![Add sessions of tummy time into your baby's day.](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/w/a/0/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.ggxcyz.png/1433391104617.jpg)
Physical play and development
Learning occurs in areas of development for babies and young chidren through play. Physical play is important for their fine and gross motor skills.
![Encourage reading with your baby](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/w/a/1/d/image.related.landscape.300x200.ggxcnp.png/1433391104700.jpg)
Encouraging baby's cognitive skills
A baby will develop their cognitive skills through a range of play activities. You can help encourage this learning through some of these play tips and ideas.
![Babies are captivated by faces, allow her to explore.](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/w/a/1/j/image.related.landscape.300x200.ggxch5.png/1432094898497.jpg)
Social & emotional development through play
From our recent 30 days of #PlayIQ the play tips and ideas focusing on the social and emotional skill sets with play ideas and tips.
![Babies love to look at faces, and gazing at their own in a toy mirror is no exception!](/web/20160423211336im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/u/r/7/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.1mso0o.png/1431137855867.jpg)
Toys for all senses
From the moment your baby is born, they start using their senses to learn about the wonderful world around them.
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