At this age, “peek-a-boo” is one of your child’s favourite games. So, cover the toy in a cloth and play peek-a-boo, an ideal game for this age, and enjoy precious time with your little one. This way, they enjoy playtime, exhibit curiosity and are pleased when they find their Wonder Buddy and they hear the cheerful sounds made. You can also use the developmental cards to inspire play between you, your child and their Wonder Buddy. Activate the buddy by pressing on buttons, draw your child’s attention to the sounds the buddy makes and encourage them to mimic their Wonder Buddy. Through talking, touching and mimicking their buddy, your child will develop their language, communication and understanding, while learning about cause and effect, deepening their interpersonal skills and enhancing your parent-child relationship.

Your child can now independently play with their interactive Wonder Buddy, and discover the various features on their own, teaching them about cause and effect. Take opportunities to help them practise social skills, such as taking turns, but also create opportunities for your child to investigate their environment by playing hide-and-seek with their buddy, and engage in play on their own. At this age, your child can shake the buddy above their head and below their tummy, to develop their motor skills, gain better control over their actions and sense of symmetry, develop their imaginative play and more.

The buddy can become your child’s new best friend, stimulating imaginative and independent play – feeding, bouncing and even cuddling, while continuing to develop important motor and emotional skills. As their relationship deepens, more independent play will take place, which helps develops imagination. Encourage your child to bounce along with their buddy at different paces while making “boing boing” sounds, developing their gross motor skills, coordination and bodily control. The buddy can also help develop language, communication and imagination skills. Go over the buddy’s body with your little one, tell stories about your child and the buddy and invite them to pretend play and mimic daily activities, such as (pretend) feeding and sleeping.