'Parents need to slow down.' An expert on the activities that actually support your child’s development.

Thanks to our brand partner, Lovevery

As a new parent, your mind is constantly in thinking mode.

How much sleep have they had (or not had)?

Are they ready for solids yet?

Is it time to start potty training?

Among these daily concerns, one question tends to stand out more than most: Am I giving them the right amount of playtime and supporting their development?

To ease the pressure, we spoke to Rachel Coley, a paediatric occupational therapist and child development expert.

When you're new to parenting, there's so much to learn, and with so much information out there, it can be hard to know if you're supporting your child's development or overloading them.

"When you have high-achieving parents who are used to getting out what they've put in and then you're suddenly thrown into parenting, it can be hard — you feel like you need to do it 'right' to get good results but that's just not how it works," said Rachel.

"Sometimes it's easy as a parent to think — 'I'm supposed to know this' — but parents need to be able to look at their child and reassure themselves that even simple play can have a positive impact."

Finding the right balance.

When raising confident kids, it's important to know that going 'off script' won't automatically derail their development.

"Parents feel all this pressure but as long as your child is on track and having healthy typical development, that train is rolling," said Rachel. "You're not going to derail it with one or two small things."

Finding a middle ground helps, with parents adjusting their approach based on their child and routines.

"If your child is in childcare all day being very adult-directed and they come home and get 30 minutes to spend with you — picking a book and looking at it together without a big agenda for learning is a nice way to spend that time," said Rachel.

"But if you have a kid that does best with a lot of structure and predictability then having that schedule on the fridge filled with activities is great too."

Every child is unique.

Being led by your child's personality or interests helps parents reduce the pressure to 'do it all.'

"It's not all-in one day and nothing the next — your child is their own person and we all change a lot in those first years," explained Rachel.

Babies who aren't yet walking or crawling depend on parents to bring experiences, like giving them freedom to move.

"Rather than putting them in seats or swings that restrict movement, we want them on the floor or in your lap," she added. "That's why tummy time is so important — moving babies into different positions because they can't do it themselves yet."

Providing new sounds, textures or sights offers sensory experiences that make a difference.

For older children moving independently, Rachel said it's about giving them freedom to explore what engages them.

"Open-ended play is beautiful, often with simple objects," she said. "In a tech world, noisy toys may seem better, but a wooden box with a ball offers so much learning for a child new to the world."

Though these toys seem simple, play driven by a child's curiosity makes all the difference.

At Lovevery, high-quality toys made from sustainable, child-safe materials that are thoughtfully designed to help families learn and play together. Built to last and designed to be passed down, these toys are better for your child and better for the planet.

Created by child development experts, the Play Kits support skill-building across different stages and evolve as your child grows. Each kit also comes with a Play Guide full of activity ideas, expert advice and the kind of reassurance that helps parents feel more confident in their everyday play.

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Experiencing life with you.

In the first few years, so much of what children need to learn is actually right there in their experience of daily life — the words parents are using, their handling of hard moments or navigating children through tough times."The daily life of being a present parent and an attuned parent really is enough," said Rachel. "What matters is the offer of that engagement with open-ended, simple play."

While not every moment needs to be an enriching one, Rachel does believe that being truly present and responsive to your child ticks many boxes.

"Just think of the natural flow and rhythm of how you speak and respond to your child," she added.

Working with their strengths and weaknesses.

"Parents always want me to tell them that 'x' number of minutes a day is what they should be spending on playtime together, but it's really about the balance between engaging in activities they do well with and those that they're not naturally feeling great about — that's where you come in as a parent," said Rachel.

"If your baby is putting the ball in the box just fine and having fun, that's great independent play, but if you're getting out stacking cups and they're not figuring out what to do and they're bored with it, you can come in and help them lean into it."

For many, this approach might be as simple as watching your child engage in regular activities around the house.

"Remember, things like squatting can be good for balance, and referencing and showing you toys is good for cognition," she added. "It's almost like parents need to slow down and see how their child is playing and find reassurance in the value of that type of free play."

Shop Lovevery's Play Kits and find simple ways to support your child's development.

Feature Image: Getty.

Lovevery is transforming early childhood development through its innovative, research-driven support system for learning and play. Known for its award-winning, stage-based Play Kits program and the companion Lovevery App, the company provides science-backed tools that empower parents with confidence and nurture children's development from birth. Timed to early development windows, The Play Kits are delivered by subscription every 2-3 months for children aged 0-4 years. Included with The Play Kits subscription is access to The Lovevery App–providing parents with week-by-week support, development guidance, free parenting courses, and activity ideas to make parenting easier.