Parents

Play & Learn (Topic Center)

Play and Learn

Play is the building block of childhood. Discover how learning through play helps your child's mind develop.

Choosing Toys

Top toys by age

Toy safety
How Babies Learn Through Play

Newborns

1–3 months

4–7 months

8–12 months
Keeping Kids Active

Preschoolers

School-age kids

Teens

The Magic of Reading

Reading helps kids build life skills, inspires imagination, and teaches them about the world. Here's how to make reading fun.

Build a Love of Reading

Kids love stories. Yet reading doesn't always come easily. Here's how to build a strong reading foundation, even if you're not a reader yourself.

Create a reader-friendly home

Make reading a daily habit

Help kids enjoy reading
Reading at Every Age

Reading to babies

Toddler reading time

Story time for preschoolers

Encouraging school-age readers

Screen Time Guidelines

Answers & Advice

It's easy to default to screens when the whole crew is on the road, but old-school games and fun keep kids busy — and keep the peace.

Find out how
Storytelling is easier than you think, and it teaches kids how to put words together to make meaning.

Learn how to do it
Some games might improve kids' hand–eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Others don't have benefits, and may even increase kids' aggresive behavior.

Learn more

A KidsHealth Education Partner Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.