The Parent's Guide to Play

I love this book! The suggestions are organized by age, and it's easy to navigate from one section to the next because there are color coded edges to the pages of each section. Yes, lots of the ideas are pretty basic (at least for the early months), but for a sleep-deprived new parent it's so wonderful to flip through and get quick ideas for how to engage your newborn in play. This and The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition have been my lifesavers for my baby's first three months.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Beautiful pictures show you the different types of play. The play suggestions are thoughtful and explain what kind of development the particular type of play encourages. It's organized by age and is a good, sturdy book so it's one you can keep referring back to through the years without it falling apart.

This book offers endless ideas to do with your children. Our son is enjoying the simplest and most entertaining activities with us. It's full of things that are simple, can be done with everyday toys and things around the house, provides lots of research summaries of ways in which the activities help, indicates if the activities are related to gross motor skills, hand and eye coordination, development of speech, etc. It is just great, very easy to read and super easy to use. Activities come from 3 months, from 6 months, from 9 months, from 12 months, from 2 years, etc, etc up until kindergarden age. We are having so much fun, and so is our son.

If you are a first-time parent, like me you are probably terrified that you won't know how to properly play with your child so that he or she exercises fine and gross motor skills. Well worry no more. This book features easy games you can play at home with minimal effort--no need to buy toys--babies don't like store-bought toys anyway! You will re-learn nursery rhymes you thought you had forgotten, discover different uses for scarves and toilet paper rolls, and watch your little one squeal in delight as you two grow and learn together. Every three months I turn to this book for more age-appropriate games. There's never a dull moment in my house! Great baby shower gift for a first-time mom or dad.

Hi! I love this book, every activity has a picture, so you know how to do it properly. I love that it does not require to buy tons of toys! One piece of advice though, there are two other Gymboree Play & Music, one for babies, and one for toddlers... buy this book instead of those two, its cheaper, and they have exactly the same!!! My baby is 3 months old, and ejoys this activities so much!!!! We have a daily schedule to develop different areas!!!! Its a great companion for play time, and I really, really, really recommend it!!! Take care, and have a nice day!!!