Toward the end of the first year, you’ll notice changes in the way your baby plays. Your baby’s individuality is beginning to surface. For example, your baby might delight in making unique sounds on a musical instrument. Push a toy one day; pull it another. Imitate your dance steps or invent some. Scoot on a ride-on down the hall with bravado, then look back to see if you’re watching. Your baby welcomes a chance to be free and test different preferences. Encourage baby’s budding individuality with your frequent approval. Help your baby feel “what I’m doing is great.”

With your baby’s new physical abilities, you both might have fun with a first “sport” like rolling a large ball to each other, seated on the floor, legs apart. For more of a challenge, there are baby-friendly sports sets based on the real action of baseball, basketball, bowling and other games. Once your baby has learn’t the basics it might be worth looking at a little tikes kitchen that you can put in your garden or house.

Babies may not understand they’re playing a sport, of course, but they respond eagerly to cheering parents who call for a home run. The interaction with parents helps babies feel like they’ve achieved something special and gives their independent actions important support. Way to go, coach!