![Play dough is more than child's play.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/7/s/5/b/image.related.landscape.380x253.h07s14.png/1513807928072.jpg)
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How to support your child's learning
Our children are little learning machines - every day, and in almost every way, they're learning. And long before they get to school, all this activity helps them get ready for a more formal learning environment.
![Fine motor skills](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/9/w/b/6/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gmjb7g.gmyawl.png/1457064233145.jpg)
Fine motor skill activities for toddlers and preschoolers
Work on your child's fine motor skills while having fun with these play activities.
![eb-fingerpainting-90c60](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/1/6/n/4/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.112fu.gmyawl.png/1457064233145.jpg)
![140x93_party](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/m/6/1/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.2evm.gmyawl.png/1457064233145.jpg)
![Mem Fox- Time for Bed](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/9/u/i/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gmiq26.gmyawl.png/1457064233145.jpg)
![Teaching your baby a foreign language](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/b/v/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.bv0h.gmyawl.png/1457064233145.jpg)
Latest
![Child’s Play – Activities to play with your children that everybody will enjoy](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/1/4/b/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.h014ft.png/1512692347569.jpg)
Why hiding the toys is more than child’s play
It’s a game the whole family will love - but did you know it has huge child development impacts?
![Sometimes we underestimate the abilities of little people.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/y/v/e/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gzyv7u.png/1512531128567.jpg)
Why I teach my toddler 'big' words
Enough with the baby talk.
![This game has many hidden benefits for little ones](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/s/3/l/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.gzs4ec.png/1512083036986.jpg)
Peek-a-boo: The hidden benefits for little ones
Peek-a-boo isn't just for babies - research shows it can help develop a toddler's cognitive development. All it takes is a 'plus one' (that's you, parent!) and a willingness to have a little bit of fun.
![Crushing leaves has huge developmental benefits! Here's how to add it to your playtime](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/s/3/l/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gzs5pk.png/1511746949923.jpg)
Play to thrive! Awesome sensory play for toddlers
It's not often little ones get a green light to crush, stomp, throw, smell and make a grimey mess.
![Ernie and Bert star in El Patito - Ernie's bilingual ode to his beloved rubber duckie.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/3/8/o/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.gy371p.png/1503981333895.jpg)
Sesame Street's remix of Despacito is the cutest
Justin Bieber has nothing on Ernie and Bert.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/t/b/t/2/image.related.landscape.300x200.gvtb3x.png/1493242137068.jpg)
Is there a 'right' way to play with your toddler?
Q: My husband and I have two-year-old twins - a girl and a boy - and we both love spending time with them. But I've noticed that he and I have very different styles, in several ways.
![You don't have to be an all dancing, all singing entertainer every moment of the day.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/o/t/9/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.guot9q.png/1491876655383.jpg)
8 games to play with your toddler when you don't want to play any more
If you're all played out but your child isn't, and you don't want to resort to TV, it's okay to cheat.
![giant water blob - Visit <a ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/x/p/o/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsxro2.png/1515114839462.jpg)
Fun water play ideas for toddlers and preschoolers
Cool down this summer with some great outdoor water play ideas.
![The Smart Cycle in action.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/n/5/0/l/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtn57s.png/1483676111251.jpg)
The Smart Cycle for preschoolers: clever idea or too much?
Fisher-Price has raised eyebrows around the world with its latest offering: the Think & Learn Smart Cycle.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/p/r/9/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.gspqxa.png/1479274261558.jpg)
Bathtime games and activities with your baby or toddler
Bath time is a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your little one.
![Tickle my ears by Jorg Muhle, Eva Eriksson (Illustrator)</a> $10.90 for ages 0-2.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180319195623im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/m/x/m/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsmxc3.png/1478828073339.jpg)
Best books from the Kids' Reading Guide for babies and toddlers
The Kids' Reading Guide was recently released with a whole host of new books to keep your little ones happy.
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