Baby's First Skills: Help Your Baby Learn Through Creative Play by Dr Miriam Stoppard - Ages 0-2 - Paperback

Details
Condition: New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781409351191
Publisher: DK (Dorling Kindersley)
Age Range: 0-2 years

Overview
Baby's First Skills: Help Your Baby Learn Through Creative Play is a warm, practical guide from parenting expert Dr Miriam Stoppard, designed to help parents and carers support early development through simple, joyful play. Built around a "Golden Hour of Play" concept, the book breaks activities into manageable, age-appropriate sessions that fit into busy family life. With a unique Baby Skill Map and month-by-month guidance, it's an accessible companion for anyone raising a baby from newborn through their first year, whether at home or in early-years settings.

About the Book
This paperback guide follows your baby's progress from newborn to one year old, offering a structured yet flexible approach to play-based learning. Dr Miriam Stoppard distils her expertise into a "Golden Hour of Play" framework — a simple daily routine that helps parents choose the right activities for their baby's stage of development, without feeling overwhelmed. Activities are grouped by skill area, covering sensory exploration, motor development, communication, and social-emotional growth. A standout feature is the at-a-glance Baby Skill Map, a visual tool showing what skills babies typically develop and when, alongside a month-by-month guide to age-appropriate stimulation, so parents always know what to try next. The book also includes gentler activities such as nursery rhymes and baby massage, supporting bonding, calm routines, and better sleep alongside more active play. Clear photography and a friendly, non-judgemental tone make the book approachable for first-time parents, grandparents, and childcare professionals alike. Rather than rigid schedules, it encourages parents to weave short bursts of purposeful play into everyday moments, making early learning feel natural. It is a practical, evidence-informed resource that respects both a baby's developmental needs and a parent's limited time.

• Golden Hour of Play: a focused, easy-to-follow daily play plan for busy families.
• Age-appropriate activities that grow with your baby from newborn to one year.
• Skill-targeted suggestions covering sensory, motor, language, and social development.
• Unique Baby Skill Map and month-by-month guide to track milestones and choose stimulation.
• Soothing routines, including massage and calming play, to support sleep and bonding.
• Clear photography and friendly, jargon-free guidance suitable for first-time parents.

About the Author
Dr Miriam Stoppard is a physician, broadcaster, and one of the UK's best-known parenting authors, with decades of experience writing on pregnancy, childcare, and family health. Her books combine medical expertise with practical, reassuring advice for parents. Published by DK, Baby's First Skills reflects her hands-on approach to early learning, translating developmental science into simple activities any carer can use confidently at home.

Why You'll Love This Baby Play Book
Clear, structured, and genuinely useful, this guide takes the guesswork out of early play. The Skill Map and month-by-month tips make it easy to support your baby's growth while enjoying precious bonding time together.

Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly; this listing is for the UK paperback edition with the ISBN shown above.