A week ago you couldn’t tear your baby away from her rainbow-colored stacking cups and great big bucket of blocks. Seems she was in full play mode. But suddenly you’ve come home from work to find a child who has lost interest in her favorite toys. Her mind is wandering—and so are her legs. When she does refocus on her playthings, it lasts for mere moments, and she’s up and distracted once again. Is your baby in a state of play remission? Not to worry, Mom. Your little one hasn’t lost her fun-and-games gusto forever. Recent research reveals that a baby’s play skills may be affected while she’s busy learning to walk. “A decrease in attention and persistence in play during the onset of walking is a natural and temporary phenomenon in typically developing infants,” explains Eleanor Schneider, PhD, lead study researcher and a lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Haifa in Israel. So when your usually playful tot seems preoccupied and less interested in toys, it may indicate that she’s in the midst of making a developmental leap: walking. In all likelihood she’s channeling all of her focus and energy into achieving this motor milestone, notes Dr. Schneider, who says reassuringly that once your baby masters these new steps, her interest in playing and enthusiasm for the contents of her toy box will resume. What’s more, an even more skilled level of play will likely emerge as a result of the increase in cognition sparked by this new achievement. During this period, don’t feel that you have to push playtime on your little stroller. “It’s best not to expect your child to play in a focused, attentive manner for long periods,” says Dr. Schneider. You may want to shift away from activities and toys requiring a lot of her time and attention. Instead, provide a supportive and nurturing environment for the particular stage your child is in. If she’s showing persistence in walking, give her the space for exploration.  Don’t nix the playthings altogether, but offer simple ones such as push-and-pull toys or stacking items that interest or motivate your baby, so she is constantly encouraged during a time that may prove to be overwhelming and frustrating. When your playful crawler starts to explore life on her feet, there’s a shift in the way she sees and relates to the world around her. This change can sometimes lead to a different way of interacting with her surroundings. But by being there for moral support, you can help your novice walker step into this exciting life stage with confidence and joy. And soon, learning through play will take on a whole new meaning.

The Right Steps

• If your baby is a go-getter, encourage her eagerness to walk by bringing her to wide-open spaces where she can explore being on her feet.
• Make sure the surface she’s practicing on can cushion her fall.
• If your baby feels tired and defeated from trying to walk, soothe her with physical closeness and affection.
• If your baby is a walking pro, give her time to adjust and take pride in her newfound skill.But watch out—she may be one step too fast. So keep a constant eye on her as she roams and eventually runs around the house.