Under the cloth, and still there

Toward the end of this stretch, babies may make a big discovery: that things carry on existing when they are out of sight. Around eight months, a toy hidden under a scarf is the classic place it turns up: a scarf lifted, and the toy looked for underneath. Tonight that may happen, or the cloth may turn out to be more interesting than the toy, or nothing may happen at all. All three are the game working exactly as it should.

🛡️ One light, single layer of cloth, and it goes over the toy — never over a baby's face or head. It leaves the room with you when the game ends: loose fabric left within reach of a cot, a pram or anywhere they sleep is the part that matters here, not the game. The toy is one solid piece, bigger than a toilet-roll tube, with nothing that can bite or twist off in a mouth. And if sitting is still new, do this on firm floor with cushions round them and stay within arm's reach — never on a bed, a sofa or any raised surface.