Birth to five are the developmental years, and of those, the first three are the most important. That means that how little ones “spend” their time impacts them a lot. These experiences not only form who they are then, but also, taken together, they serve as a foundation for all future growth.
The tricky part is that early childhood experiences depend on the parents and caregivers to keep that time as “terrific” as possible. The stakes are high. Every child is entitled to having the finest experiences, and every parent and caregiver should know how to provide them.
Easy? Not so easy, but also not so hard either. I wrote Fun Baby Learning Games to help parents and caregivers get every child off to the best start possible.
In this book, I walk you through the eight ages and stages of development from birth through age three. For each stage, I share 25 simple, meaningful activities designed to support your child’s growth across every area—cognitive, motor, social, language, and self-esteem. Altogether, the book includes 200 activities, all grounded in research but made easy to use in everyday moments.
One of the most important ideas behind this book is something research shows us again and again: when children are well supported in their development during the first three years, they are far more likely to succeed once they reach school age. Those early experiences truly matter, and my goal is to help you make the most of them, one joyful interaction at a time.
Fun and supporting development would be enough for any one book, but for me, there’s something even more meaningful at its heart: bonding and attachment. When you spend simple, “terrific” time with your little one, you’re doing so much more than playing. You’re building a strong, lasting bond that truly matters.
Through hands-on, loving interactions, the time you spend together deepens your relationship in ways that grow and strengthen over time. That connection between a parent or caregiver and a baby, toddler, or two-year-old is the very first relationship a child experiences, and it’s the most important one. It becomes the foundation for all future relationships.
I’ve seen how these early connections nurture a child’s sense of self-worth and confidence, helping them feel secure as they learn to connect with others. We know from research and from real life that strong relationships and healthy self-esteem play a powerful role in helping children grow into successful, happy teens and adults.
At its core, Fun Baby Learning Games is about bringing theory and research to life in ways that feel joyful, natural, and deeply connected to everyday moments. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to be both engaging and purposeful, helping infants and toddlers nurture emerging skills, build confidence, and reach important developmental milestones without pressure or overwhelm.
Whether you are supporting cognitive growth, motor development, social and emotional understanding, language skills, or self-esteem, these activities meet children exactly where they are and gently encourage what comes next.
My hope is that this book empowers parents and caregivers to feel confident, capable, and supported—knowing that with simple, loving interactions, they are giving children exactly what they need to grow, thrive, and begin life with a strong and secure foundation.
Sally Goldberg, PhD
Sally Goldberg, PhD, also known as Dr. Sally, is a professor of education, author, and magazine writer. She authors a blog at www.earlychildhoodnews.net. Dr. Sally worked as an instructor of early childhood education on the adjunct faculties of Nova Southeastern University, Barry University, and the University of Phoenix. Well known for her tools and strategies for self-esteem development, she is a national conference presenter and a frequent guest on TV and radio. Sally, who grew up in White Plains, NY, has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University and a PhD from the University of Miami.
