For some basic information on your baby's development 0-12 months, visit the Cow & Gate web site at www.cowandgate.co.uk.

To get the most from the site you will need to register. When you login and view the 'Baby's development' page the information displayed is then tailored to the age of your baby.

For some basic information on toddler and child development try the Huggies web site at www.huggiesclub-uk.com.

The best way to use this site is through the search function - enter 'what can my toddler do' or 'what can my child do' and you'll get a list of articles covering ages 15 months to four.

The British Association for Early Childhood Development and Education publishes a series of leaflets for parents covering child development. Their web site also provides a number of interesting articles online.

136 Cavell Street
London
E1 2JA

020 7539 5400

www.early-education.org.uk

The "Birth to three matters" Framework was developed to support practitioners working with children from birth to three. The Framework identifies four 'Aspects' which celebrate the skills and competencies of babies and very young children and highlights the interrelationship between growth, learning, development and the environment in which they are cared for and educated.

The Framework is primarily aimed at all professionals who work with, and care for children aged birth to three, including those children with special needs. However, it will also be a useful resource for any parents who wish to have information about children in this age group and the types of play activities made available to them by childcare professionals.

www.surestart.gov.uk/ensuringquality/birthtothreematters/

The Foundation Stage is the first part of the National Curriculum focussing on the distinct needs of children aged three to the end of the reception year. The Foundation Stage is delivered in a range of settings including pre-school groups, early years centres, nursery and reception classes. Early years settings in receipt of Government funding to deliver early years education are required to deliver the Foundation Stage Curriculum through planned play activities for eligible three and four year olds.

This site provides information on the Foundation Stage curriculum:
www.surestart.gov.uk/ensuringquality/foundationstage/

Babies have a biological need and desire to learn. Smart Baby Zone is dedicated to providing early learning and developmental products for your baby from birth to 5 years. Our product range includes both famous brand names in quality toys and also innovative and specialist products that will provide maximum benefit in your child's development in relation to their sensory awareness, motor skills, cognitive & language skills. All product information provides guidance on which skills will benefit. Our Parents Zone also offers a wealth of information on how your smart baby develops and benefits from the products we offer. It also has information on a range of other activities that will benefit your child and as we learn more, we aim to communicate this to all our visitors.

Our early learning activity toys include wooden toys, jigsaws, educational games and baby activity centres, helping to engage your baby in exploring their surrounding environment.

Our baby music CDs include The Mozart Effect range, Music for Babies and Sweet Baby Music. Research, conducted over the past 40 years, has proven that certain types of music can benefit babies, from the time they are in the womb through to their early childhood. Our range is designed to relax your child and help to improve their sensory coordination and memory development.

Our children videos / DVDs and specially chosen educational software for toddlers and pre-schoolers, help to introduce your baby to the concepts of colours, shapes, counting, alphabet and assist in the development of your baby’s speech and language skills.

www.smartbabyzone.co.uk

The BBC Parents' Music Room is a new web site that encourages all parents, irrespective of their own musical ability, to support their child's musical development at home from the very earliest stages. It aims to encourage parental involvement by providing practical guidance through regular features and material that cater for all stages of music development from pre-birth (with features about womb music), to when children are starting to learn nursery rhymes and wishing to learn an instrument

www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents

For a rough guide to your child's likely musical development visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/yourchild/childdev_chart.shtml