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Teddies aren't just some of your baby's earliest friends - they can be great for learning to take turns too, which is a key skill as children start to learn about the back and forth of conversation.

Watch the video below to see what we mean.

A dad playing with a teddy bunny rabbit with his baby daughter.
Image caption,
Pause and wait for your baby to respond during each go. This will help them begin to understand how a conversation works.

Why play serve and return games?

  • Back and forth games like this one help baby learn to take turns. They're sometimes referred to as 'serve and return' games. Like in a tennis match, you 'serve' your baby some words and actions and wait for them to return these words and actions in the form of some noises or babble.
  • Taking turns is a key skill in learning about conversations - it helps them get used to waiting and listening for their turn.
  • Even if you're baby is only babbling, gesturing or making noises, they're learning about the back and forth rhythm of conversation.

How to play serve and return games

  • Each take a turn to hold teddy, and say who is holding teddy - 'Megan's teddy / Daddy's teddy'.
  • Before each go, pause and wait for your baby to respond so they understand about taking turns.
  • Play over and over - the more you repeat the words and actions, the more likely your baby will learn the words in time.
A dad playing with a teddy bunny rabbit with his baby daughter.
Image caption,
Pause and wait for your baby to respond during each go. This will help them begin to understand how a conversation works.

Other serve and return games for babies

Banana phones

If you've got a banana, you've got a phone!

Try using it as a prop for a serve and return game, which doubles up as a snack after all that chatting away.

More on banana phone games

Blowing raspberries

Babies are bound to get a laugh out of a raspberry. Try blowing a raspberry and waiting for them to tell you to do it again and again.

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