Have you ever wondered why your baby seems more fascinated by your everyday cups, keys, pots, and pans than their shiny, colorful toys? It might initially seem peculiar, but there's a perfectly logical reason behind it.
Babies are wired to explore their surroundings. They're totally new here! When you empathize with this stage of discovery, it seems silly to expect toys to be captivating. Why would they not be interested in what's most often around them?
They are observers as much as they are little scientists. They notice how you are interacting with your surroundings. So, when they see you using that coffee cup and cell phone, it sparks their interest.
Babies want to be involved in the everyday activities of the household earlier than you may think. Try letting your baby grasp a set of measuring spoons while you cook, or play "drum" on a pot when they can sit up!
Consider how many toys are miniature replicas of real-life objects. A bit ironic, isn't it? It's common to see toy phones, toy remotes, toy vacuums. Having the pretend alternative is often less satisfying to babies because they can sense the authenticity. They need a concrete understanding of the real deal first and will continue to reach for real experiences that offer tangible outcomes and richer sensory feedback. Pretend play is valuable, but the earliest stage of pretend play, known as imitative, won't emerge before 13 months.
Your baby's drive to navigate mundane everyday tasks is purposeful! Don't undermine it or excessively redirect to toys only. Prioritize safe inclusion in simple, realistic experiences.