![Engaging and educational toys](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/j/n/k/h/image.related.landscape.380x253.gueat1.png/1487908069250.jpg)
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![Lucas signing "eat".](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/8/t/t/k/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.8ttj.gmxm73.png/1468321448708.jpg)
Teaching your baby sign language
By 10 to 14 months babies usually speak their first word, but they can learn to use sign language from a much younger age.
![<i></i>](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/b/9/k/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.ggxcnp.gmxm73.png/1480412159146.jpg)
Encouraging your 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/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/w/s/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gi711v.gmxm73.png/1475184152251.jpg)
![Letting your child move as much as possible in the early years will help them grow up healthier, smarter, calmer and ...](/web/20170228110512im_/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/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/8/0/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.ghv6ki.gmxm73.png/1457054321943.jpg)
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16 simple ways to make your baby smarter
What's the best way to mentally stimulate your baby? It doesn't take a genius - just a loving, involved parent.
![<i></i>](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/m/a/o/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtmaeg.png/1483656490629.jpg)
Why a child's first 1000 days matter the most
Gabby Holden, the Uniting Director of Early Learning, shares why the first few years are so vital for development and learning.
![Early touchscreen use may help with fine motor skills.](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/j/b/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.groj7t.png/1474861680033.jpg)
Early touchscreen use may help fine motor skills in toddlers, study finds
If you're feeling guilty about giving your little one the iPad so you can have a few moments' peace/do the laundry/catch up on some work - here's some welcome news.
![<i></i>](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/d/k/1/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqdk1c.png/1469446404745.jpg)
How colour can affect your baby's development
Colourful kids spaces don’t only look great, but can assist in learning and behaviour, too.
![<a href="http://www.unclebearskinproductions.com.au/" target="_blank">Sippy & Sunny: A Byron Bay Adventure</a>, $39.95](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/c/k/5/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqckna.png/1469334472595.jpg)
10 beautiful books to buy now for later
These books make a great idea for baby showers, christenings, naming days, and early birthdays too.
![<i></i>](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/2/f/s/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.gp2fkv.png/1464059923866.jpg)
Your one-year-old is more creative than you might think
Even one-year-olds can be very exploratory, experimental and creative.
![The baby fell facedown before flipping onto her back.](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/p/u/3/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.goprsz.png/1462767985714.jpg)
Baby's water survival video divides viewers
Is it responsible parenting, or is this baby being subjected to unnecessary distress? That's the question dividing viewers of a video showing a six-month-old girl fending for herself in a swimming pool after being enticed to fall into the water.
![Malo](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/a/7/d/s/image.related.landscape.300x200.gmogc9.png/1454905681720.jpg)
Baby's future imagined in cute photo series
A French dad has captured his 3-month-old daughter, June, in a series that shows her in outfits of different professions in order to show the possibilities ahead of her. The dad, Malo, says that he, his wife and a few friends work quickly to avoid tiring the baby out.
![Three-year-old Leo Colosimo having fun with some traditional toys as mum Kristy Biagini looks on.](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/n/4/m/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.gmnm1h.png/1480578275536.jpg)
Traditional toys beat gadgets in language development
Baby laptops and other talking, flashing toys that promise to improve children's language skills may do the exact opposite.
![<i></i>](/web/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/g/r/k/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gmgre7.png/1480586864660.jpg)
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/20170228110512im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/9/7/1/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gm8bfx.png/1473946238437.jpg)
The activity to do with your baby that will help them succeed at school
One in five school kids is starting school unprepared.
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