The birth of each child changed the map of our world. Keilah made me a father in a hotel room in Jamaica. Kaleeyon joined us amid the complexity of Korea. Kezidek arrived after our move to Brazil. With each child, Sher found new reasons to ask whether the surrounding society understood what babies and parents needed.

Baby Worlds are the public and household environments we author for infants, toddlers and young children. They give children safe space to touch, crawl, walk, play with water, encounter plants, meet other children and gradually discover their own capabilities. Parents remain part of the design, with comfortable places to nurse, rest, change a baby, wash hands and talk to other adults.

The child’s world joins the family compound, neighbourhood routes, learning places and public recreation. A mother should be able to leave her home with a baby and find delight instead of a long list of missing supplies. A toddler should see interesting things at an appropriate height. An older child should become increasingly trusted to explore.

Our children are active members of this design conversation. Their curiosity has repeatedly revealed the usefulness of a small change more quickly than any presentation board could have done. We pay attention to the human beings the system is built to serve.