Brave new world

Most new babies are surrounded by toys from the moment they first touch down in their hospital cots. Teddies, teethers, rattles - even wooden bricks and racing cars - all emerge from the parcels donated by fond relatives and friends. But until a baby is three or four months old, most of these delightful items are just so much window dressing. The child will take an interest in them eventually, but for the moment, they are really there to create a heart-warming backdrop for the new dramas of family life.

In their first few weeks, babies can only interact with their surroundings in a very limited way. They have no control over their hands or feet, and though they will grasp a finger or an object, this is a reflex action and not a true attempt to get to grips with the world. A bright, moving toy will attract a very young baby's attention, but only if it is brought very close to her eyes. Babies under three months old can't fix their eyes on anything that is more than about 30cm away. They find static objects pretty boring. What really fascinates them is the human face and voice, particularly the face and voice belonging to their main carer.