Skills & Stages

Babbling

Before your baby can speak “real” words that you can understand, they practice through babbling.

Mother and child using the Liquid Color Lab from The Problem Solver Play Kit

Colors

Understanding color is a surprisingly complex learning process. Learn why learning colors is important and activities to support it.

Bonding

You’ve probably heard how important it is to bond with your baby. But a deep emotional connection doesn’t always happen right away—it often takes some time.

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Concentration & Focus

A short attention span is both common and expected at this age. Read our simple ways to help your child learn to focus and pay attention.

Motor Skills

Crawling

Crawling opens the door to a new phase of exploration and movement for your baby.

Language & Communication

Crying

For at least the first few months, crying is the primary way that babies communicate with their caregivers.

Child with the Organic Cotton Doll from Lovevery

Empathy

Your child will need some time and guidance to develop empathy. Here’s when you can expect this social skill to emerge and how to support it.

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Executive Function

Executive function skills help us do everything from get to work on time to cope with everyday stress. Learn how to help your child develop this skill.

Fears & Anxieties

Fears and anxieties are a natural part of childhood, and it's common for young children to experience them at some point.

Fine Motor

Grasping

Here's what child development experts say to watch for as your child's grasping skills emerge and develop.

Motor Skills

Babies and toddlers use hand-eye coordination to hold and explore toys, feed themselves, and drink from a cup. By preschool age, children need this skill to learn how to write, use scissors, and catch a ball.

Motor Skills

Head Control

Head control is an important first motor skill that your baby must gain before they learn to roll over, sit, crawl, and, eventually, walk.

Child playing with different toys from The Play Kits by Lovevery

Play & Activities

Independent Play

Learn easy ways to get your child started with independent play, and why this type of play is so important for their development.

Language & Communication

Laughing

When will you hear your baby's first laugh? At first, your baby’s laugh may be short and quiet. But over time, it will develop into a full belly laugh.

Child playing with the Drop & Match Dot Catcher from The Helper Play Kit

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Matching & Sorting

Read why matching and sorting are important skills for your toddler. Try these activities to help them practice and learn.

Child playing with the Wooden Counting Box

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Numbers

Learning numbers is all about frequent exposure and everyday practice. Here’s what the progression of learning numbers looks like for young children.

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Object Permanence

When your baby looks for something hidden, that's object permanence at work—here's when to expect it, and why it matters.

Language & Communication

Pointing

Pointing is an important early step in your child’s ability to communicate.

Child playing with the Storytelling Puppet Set in the Puppet Theater from Lovevery

Play & Activities

Pretend Play

Pretend play is an important part of growing up—here's what to know about how it develops in early childhood.

Child putting together the Wooden Wobble Puzzle from The Problem Solver Play Kit

Learning & Cognitive Skills

Problem-Solving

How do babies and toddlers learn problem-solving skills like creativity and flexible thinking?

Language & Communication

Reading

The human brain is prewired to do things like talk and walk, but reading must be deliberately and methodically taught.

Baby play with the Organic Cotton High-Contrast Ball from The Play Gym

Motor Skills

Rolling

Rolling helps your baby learn how different parts of their body move, while strengthening their core and back muscles.

Child stacking things on top of the Montessori Sensory Box from The Analyst Play Kit

Play & Activities

Sensory Play

Everything your child touches, tastes, hears, smells, or eats helps create new neural connections. See how sensory play experiences are building blocks for your child’s brain.

Siblings fighting over the Wooden Camper With Locking Doors from The Free Spirit Play Kit

Sharing & Taking Turns

Learning to share is a complex, collaborative process that takes years to develop. Here’s what to know about when and how children learn to share.

Motor Skills

Sitting

By around 5 to 9 months, your baby may be able to sit up on their own briefly before needing help.

Mother and child looking at the 'Things I See' Texture Cards from The Inspector Play Kit

Language & Communication

Smiling

When do babies start smiling? Here’s what to know about your baby’s first smile, including how to encourage more of them.

Motor Skills

Stacking

Learning to stack objects involves fine motor skills, coordination, and a basic understanding of how pieces work together.

Motor Skills

Standing

Many babies can stand up unassisted—at least briefly—by around 10 to 16 months of age.

Language & Communication

Talking & Language Development

Here’s what to know about your baby’s language development, including how to encourage their first words.

Upset child holding hands with their parent

Tantrums

Toddler tantrums are a normal part of your child’s development. Learn how to handle this bumpy part of your child’s emotional growth with a bit more calm.