Some parents have trouble playing with their children. Because of trauma they experienced as children or lack of good role models, they find it hard to be silly or joyful when they interact with their children. Play is essential for the healthy development of babies and toddlers. A baby's brain develops through "Serve and Return" interactions with caregivers. Because play is so critical for healthy brain development, Family Foundations gives their families the booklet pictured below entitled
Babies Love to Play. Family Foundation's Donna Sarneso authored this wonderful resource
for parents. The booklet is full of activities, songs, and rhymes that parents
can use to play with their babies. Some of the pages of the booklet are pictured below.
Six songs from the book are included on the
Babies Love to Play CD that also has four original songs about dressing, brushing teeth and hair, making food, and going to sleep. The songs are available for download at right.