ABSTRACT
Babies start by being interested mainly in people; they go on to develop a selective awareness of objects which are manipulated for them by people. This progression runs parallel to the baby's increasing activity, and her greater ability to control her movements so that they work more efficiently for her. Bouncing toys and carousels are limited in that they must, of course, be set moving for the baby by an adult; mobiles and wind-chimes not only use natural air currents but have the additional advantage that they can be most successfully home-made out of scrap materials. The Victorian rattle of silver and mother-of-pearl, with a whistle at the end, would not be very durable in a baby's hands, and the bells are scratchy to the gums. From about six months onward, children begin to make a most determined onslaught on their environment, and the curiosity play of this period is both a stimulus to, and evidence of, their developing understanding.
