Why play is so important for babies

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Why play is so important for babies

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Play is everything that a baby does. A baby naturally plays. A baby learns while they are playing, but in playing a baby doesn't have a goal. The baby doesn't have a preconceived notion about what is going to happen or should work. They are just experimenting. In the experimenting, they are learning and they're creating. When we hand a baby a toy, we take away the choice. We also take away a little bit of their natural inner drive to explore and experiment. We don't want to do that because the basis of creativity is play. From the very first movements that babies make, they are playing. When a baby kicks their legs, they are playing. When a baby makes raspberries, they are learning to communicate with you. We don't want to stifle that.

Watch Lisa Sunbury, MA's video on Why play is so important for babies...

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Lisa Sunbury, MA

Parent Educator

Lisa Sunbury has dedicated her life to caring for, supporting, and advocating for infants, toddlers, and their parents. She has over 20 years experience working in the field of Early Childhood Education, in a variety of roles. After earning a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, she worked as a nanny, and as an infant/toddler teacher in several respected childcare programs. While attending a workshop led by Diana Suskind, which focused on the unique needs of infants and toddlers in child care centers, she was introduced to Magda Gerber’s philosophy of infant care. Intrigued by Magda’s work, she went on to study with her for three years at the original home of RIE (Resources For Infant Educarers), in Silver Lake, California. There she earned a certificate of completion in the program to become a RIE Associate. She has taught RIE Foundations through University of California Santa Barbara, presented at several early childhood conferences, and had her writing published in the RIE Newsletter and the Giant Encyclopedia of Activities for Infants and Toddlers. Her most recent work has included growing her website, Regarding Baby, and caring for a wonderful family that includes two young children. She maintains professional memberships with the National Association of Early Childhood Education (NAEYC) and RIE, and is proud to serve on the board at Santa Cruz Toddler Center.

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