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Peekaboo is a lot of fun for your baby and guaranteed to raise some early smiles.
But did you know that it's great for their development too?
Take a look at how to play peekaboo for baby's development in the video below.
Benefits of peekaboo for baby development
- Peekaboo helps babies' sense of 'object permanence' - this is the scientific term for the knowledge that when something disappears from sight, it hasn't gone forever.
- It's a lot of fun for babies and promotes the release of dopamine, a happy hormone.
- Promoting eye contact with you helps them focus on what you're saying and doing.
- Waiting for their turn to take part in the game helps them practise the back and forth of conversation. You might find they make a sound or action 'asking' to see the hidden person or object.
- It stimulates babies' senses and strengthens their visual tracking - ability to track movement with their eyes.
- It helps babies experience emotions like surprise and happiness - it's a surefire way to hear baby laugh!
Peekaboo games to help baby development
Build anticipation in your baby by making a big smiley face and looking baby directly in the eye, before hiding behind a cloth or cushion.
Wait for baby to make a noise or movement…
When they do, quickly reveal yourself with a big smile and say 'peek-a-boo!'
To mix it up, you could try playing with one of their favourite teddies.
Remember to wait for their response to the game, this helps them to understand the idea of taking turns.
Play again and again - babies love the repetition and will learn to expect what's coming next. Guessing what's going to happen gives them a hit of dopamine and can lead to laughs!
More about peekaboo
- Check out more on the science of peekaboo as we put it to the test in our Speech Lab.
- Learn more about peekaboo and concept of object permanence.
