Building Connection Through FirstPlay®
Supporting infant mental health, development, and the caregiver-child bond through play
More than 1 million
new neural connections form every second during the first three years of life.
Source: ZERO TO THREE
A baby’s earliest experiences of connection happen through eye contact, sounds, movement, touch, and back-and-forth interactions with their caregiver. During the first three years of life, emotionally nourishing relationships help lay the foundation for healthy brain development, secure attachment, emotional regulation, communication, and learning.
Play is one of the primary ways babies and toddlers connect, communicate, and develop. Responsive play supports secure attachment, emotional regulation, language, cognitive development, sensory exploration, and connections within the developing brain.
What is FirstPlay®?
FirstPlay® is an attachment-focused infant mental health and developmental play therapy model for children from birth through 36 months. It helps caregivers understand their child’s cues and learn ways to engage through developmental play, including storytelling, songs, rhythm, movement, sensory experiences, and respectful nurturing touch.
FirstPlay® can be used proactively or as an intervention. Families do not need to wait until there is a significant concern to benefit. Caregivers gain practical play ideas and connection rituals they can use at home while discovering what feels enjoyable and meaningful for their child.
FirstPlay® was developed by Janet A. Courtney, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S, whose work focuses on infant mental health, attachment, developmental play therapy, trauma, and the ethical use of touch.
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Who may benefit from FirstPlay®?
Families do not need to have a specific concern to participate. FirstPlay® may support:
Proactive family wellness
Caregivers who want to deepen connection, understand their child’s cues, build confidence, or learn new ways to play together
Attachment and relationship concerns
Caregivers who feel disconnected, are unsure how to play, feel overwhelmed by their child’s cues, or have concerns about separation and reconnection
Transitions and changing relationships
Families navigating childcare, returning to work, separation, reunion, a new sibling, relocation, foster care, adoption, or reunification
Early medical experiences
Families whose child has experienced prematurity, NICU care, hospitalization, medical procedures, birth-related stress, or disruptions in early bonding. FirstPlay® does not treat a medical condition; it supports connection, co-regulation, emotional safety, and positive shared experiences
Caregiver and family stress
Families experiencing grief, trauma, caregiver mental health concerns, or other stressors affecting the caregiver-child relationship
How can FirstPlay® benefit families?
Secure attachment and long-term emotional well-being
Responsive interactions help children experience their caregiver as a secure base. This builds a foundation for trust, confident exploration, resilience, healthy relationships, and recovering from challenges.
Understanding cues and building caregiver confidence
Caregivers learn to recognize and respond to their child’s communication, emotional, behavioral, and sensory cues while receiving feedback about what they are already doing well.
Co-regulation and emotional development
Caregivers gain practical ways to help children manage stress and strong emotions, laying the foundation for later emotional regulation, flexibility, and frustration tolerance.
Play, learning, and brain development
Developmental play uses storytelling, rhythm, movement, sensory experiences, and responsive back-and-forth interactions to support curiosity, communication, early literacy, problem-solving, and cognitive development.
Nurturing touch and physical comfort
Respectful nurturing touch and infant massage experiences may support bonding, relaxation, settling, and positive body awareness while honoring the child’s comfort and boundaries.
Connection beyond the session
Families learn developmentally appropriate play activities and predictable connection rituals they can incorporate into caregiving routines, transitions, reconnection after separation, and preparation for sleep.
What can families expect during FirstPlay® sessions?
FirstPlay® is an interactive experience centered on the caregiver-child relationship. The practitioner models, observes, and provides individualized guidance while the caregiver participates directly with their child.
Based on the child’s developmental stage, interests, and needs, sessions may include:
- Storytelling, songs, rhythm, and playful use of voice
- Facial expressions, imitation, and back-and-forth communication
- Developmental and sensory play adapted to the child’s stage, interests, and comfort
- Respectful nurturing touch and infant massage experiences
- Strategies for recognizing the child’s cues and supporting co-regulation
- Play ideas and connection rituals families can continue at home
FirstPlay® may be offered through individual caregiver-child sessions or small caregiver-child groups.
FirstPlay® at Hummingbird
Ready To Get Started?
Interested in learning whether FirstPlay® may be a good fit for your family? Contact Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies to learn more about individual sessions or upcoming caregiver-child groups.