The baby ‘Smilestones’ moments every new parent should know
Advertisement Promotion with Fisher-Price
Louisa Sherlock
Associate EditorFrom rolling and crawling to first words and first steps, your baby has so many exciting milestones ahead of them. Fisher-Price is by your side with toys that help your little one reach these unforgettable ‘Smilestones’ … all while having fun!
Your baby is doing amazing new things every day. And as a parent, you want to help them as they learn new skills that will last them a lifetime. But you might be unsure exactly how to support them, or wondering when they should hit each milestone.
Fisher-Price has over 90 years experience helping families just like yours. And they know that babies learn the best when they’re playing. That’s why they’ve created brilliant toys to help your baby through each stage of their development.
What are your baby’s Smilestones?
You know all about the baby milestones your little one will hit in their first year, and beyond.
FREE NEWBORN NAPPIES
Sprinkle in extra fun for your baby (and you), and you’ve got baby Smilestones! Yep, each baby milestone has been given an added dose of magic thanks to the experts at Fisher-Price Play Lab. They’ve created toys that help babies learn important new skills, including:
- First words
- Sensory development
- Rolling over/tummy time
- Sitting up
- Crawling
- Walking
- Calming/soothing
- Talking
- Listening
- Pretend play
- Early learning
- Gross motor skills
- Building confidence
- Emotional awareness
Calming and Soothing Smilestone
When: 0-12 months
Your baby doesn’t have the words yet to say how they’re feeling. So it’s up to you to play ‘detective’ and work out what’s wrong … and how to help them.
As you soothe your baby, you’re also teaching them how to self-regulate, which is an important Smilestone. It will even help them settle at night (hurrah!). The Fisher-Price® Soothe ‘n Snuggle Otter can help with this Smilestone, mimicking breathing to naturally soothe your baby.
Learn more about your baby’s Calming & Soothing Smilestone.
Tummy Time Smilestone
When: 0-12 months
Tummy time helps your baby build their little core muscles and get stronger. This then leads to rolling over, sitting up and those amazing first steps!
But while tummy time is a vital part of your baby’s development, you’ll quickly realise they aren’t such a fan. Fisher-Price is on hand to make it fun with a range of toys including their Flap & Wobble Penguin. The cute toy responds to your baby's touch with flapping motions and music.
Learn more about your baby’s tummy time Smilestone.
Sitting Up Smilestone
When: 0-12 months
Aww, it’s quite a moment when your baby sits up on their own for the first time. And it’s a hugely exciting moment for them too as they get to experience the world around them in a whole new way.
Babies learn to sit up when they’re around 5 months but will still need your help. The Fisher-Price® Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat with Tray helps them sit up and play, gently supporting them as they build their core muscles.
Learn more about your baby’s sitting up Smilestone.
Walking Smilestone
When: 10-18 months
From sitting up to crawling, cruising and then walking ... your baby is determined to be on the move.
There are lots of ways to encourage their first steps and one of our faves is with toys. (Great motivator!)
Give your child a helping hand on their feet with the Fisher-Price® 2-Sided Steady Speed™ Walker. It's Netmums Recommended after being tested by parents just like you!
It has 2 sides of activities including a mini steering wheel, flashing lights and a shape sorter. Clever Steady Speed wheels stop the walker moving too fast, giving your baby the chance to practice their exciting new skill.
Learn more about your baby’s walking Smilestone.
First words Smilestone
When: 0-12 months
Your baby is learning to communicate way before they actually say their first words. They’ll be listening as you speak and will start babbling around 4 to 7 months.
Music, songs and playtime can all help your baby learn these listening and talking skills. The Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn™ Smart Stages™ Puppy teaches babies first words, including colours, and is super cute too!
Learn more about your baby’s first words Smilestone.
Talking Smilestone
When: 10 months+
Your baby has mastered their first words (fingers crossed for a 'mama' or 'dada'!) and now they're ready for the next Smilestone ... talking.
By the time they’re around 18 to 24 months, your baby will start putting words together like, 'all gone' and 'mummy hug'. Encourage these budding language skills with the Fisher-Price® Little People® Light-Up Learning Garage™.
Learn more about your baby's talking Smilestone.
.jpg?w=660&h=660&auto=compress%2Cformat)
Listening Smilestone
When: 0-24 months
Your baby can hear in the womb. And they’re also listening from the moment they are born. That’s one of the ways they learn language and about the world around them.
As they get older, this listening is even more important for learning. The Fisher-Price® DJ Bouncin' Beats™ encourages this Smilestone by letting your child record themselves. They’ll love listening back to their voice and the sounds they make.
The toy also has 3 Smart Stages levels and includes more than 75 songs, sounds and phrases.
Learn more about your baby’s listening Smilestone.
Motor Skills Smilestone
When: 0-12 months
Reaching, kicking, grasping … your baby’s physical development is coming on leaps and bounds. Literally.
These gross motor skills (walking, running, jumping) and fine motor skills (clapping, picking objects up) will keep on developing until your child is around 5.
Give them a helping hand by choosing toys that get your child up and moving. The Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Mix & Learn DJ Table™ encourages them to use their leg and arm muscles as they stand up.
They can also practice their fine motor skills by pressing the keyboard keys and spinning the discs.
Fisher-Price has partnered with Hartbeeps, the award-winning immersive sensory music classes for little ones, with a specially created play session to celebrate their 20th birthday. The fun session includes the Fisher-Price DJ Mix & Learning Music Table. Check out Hartbeeps on Facebook and Instagram or see their registration page for more information.
Learn more about your baby’s motor skills Smilestone.
Early Learning Smilestone
When: 1-3 years
Your toddler has their own Smilestones too, learning numbers, colours and their ABCs ready for preschool and school. At this stage, they’ll start to recognise shapes, to complete simple puzzles and to match sounds to the right animal picture.
There’s so much to learn (for them and you!) and Fisher-Price is on hand to help! They have a huge range of toddler toys to choose from including the Fisher-Price® Linkimals™ Learning Narwhal™, helping them learn through play.
Learn more about your baby’s early learning Smilestone.
.png?w=660&h=825&auto=compress%2Cformat)
How does Fisher-Price help babies reach their Smilestones?
Learning new skills like reaching, rolling and sitting up takes work. So why not have fun while doing it?
Fisher-Price toys have been carefully designed to help your baby learn and develop. Take the Fisher-Price® Calming Vibes Elephant Soother, which helps your baby reach their Calming and Soothing Smilestone. The cuddly elephant gently vibrates to help comfort your baby. Or the Fisher-Price® Grow-with-Me Tummy Time Llama – your baby can lie on the llama for added support as they get to grips with the Tummy Time Smilestone.
Each Smilestones toy has been tested in the Fisher-Price Play Lab by the real experts: kids. Over 2,500 babies and children and 1,800 parents put toys to the test every year. Only the best ones make the cut.
How do Fisher-Price toys help parents?
Your baby’s first year is a massive learning curve for you both. And it’s natural to worry about whether your little one is reaching their milestones at the right time. Fisher-Price has lots of practical tips for each Smilestone and is by your side to help you celebrate each little win.
Every baby learns at their own pace, and with Fisher-Price toys you know they’re getting expert help and support from the comfort of your own home.
Shop the full Fisher-Price range for your baby, toddler and preschooler here.
Related content
6 surprising moments your baby is learning (without you even realising!)
