Play is a crucial and fundamental part of your child's growth process. This is the view expressed by Jerome L. Singer, Ph.D., professor of psychology and child study at Yale University. Dr. Singer explains that play is part of the way in which children explore and learn about their environment. Whether playing a game with a parent or getting the feel for a new toy, play encourages children to sharpen their senses and to clearly understand the world around them.

Our guide will give you a general outline to age-appropriate games and toys, and how they will help in your child's development. Click on each age level below for more information on how babies explore the world through play and suggestions on toys and activities to enjoy together.

Birth to Three Months During the first three months, infants enjoy things that are visually and aurally stimulating. Your baby's vision is still developing, so select brightly colored, high-contrast toys…

Three to Six Months Physical contact is crucial to development in young children. According to Dr. Singer, "In the first six months, the main thing is the child being able to reach out and touch, occasionally to taste things, bite on them, squeeze them…

Six to Nine Months At this phase, baby has developed the ability to crawl and eventually to pull himself to a standing position. Play that takes place at this age will evolve and become more complex…

Nine to Twelve Months Either by crawling or cruising along furniture, your baby will now become more mobile, so it is important to continue baby-proofing your home…

Twelve to Eighteen Months Your baby is now a toddler and eager to discover. Because baby is learning to walk, this is an ideal period to begin to encourage more exploration…

Eighteen to Twenty-Four Months This is the stage when your child's imagination will really begin to take off, and as a result parents should continue to encourage imaginative play…