No matter what you’re cooking, your child can be a helper. Give them a play-by-play of what you’re using. If it’s safe, let them touch, smell, or taste things too. Chat about what you’re making: “Red pepper makes the beans spicy.”
Author: Sarah Childs
Food Five Senses
Food can exercise your child’s five senses! Let them taste a piece of the food and ask how it tastes, then have them smell it and tell you what they smell. Talk about the shape of it and how it feels to the touch. You can smell and taste it too.
Rhythm Clap
Tap a rhythm with your hands and let your child do their best to copy. Try different patterns of sounds and lengths, like clapping or opening and closing your fist. Then you can take a turn to copy what they do. See how long you can go back and forth.
Count Bites
Sometimes mealtime can be a challenge. Encourage your child to eat by offering them choices about how they eat. You can say something like, “Do you want two big dinosaur bites or four little bird bites?” Count the bites together and ask them to think of their own “Animal Bites” eating ideas.
Pretend Play
What can you find in your house to play pretend with your child? Offer them clothes, blankets, empty boxes, or clean and safe kitchen objects to use. Follow their lead and see where it takes you. If you need to, you can give them ideas like, “Should we build a boat or pretend to cook… Continue reading Pretend Play
Play Kitchen
Work together with your child to create a play kitchen by offering them pots, spoons, and other safe kitchen items. Use the top of a table as a stove and ask them what they need to make food, like soup. Pretend to put in ingredients and take turns stirring and tasting your creation!
Obstacle Course
Make an obstacle course today! Line up a few pillows for a jump or go under the table as a tunnel. Lines on the floor could even become a tightrope. Try one or two of these and then add on some of your own! Talk to your child about what they’re doing as they do… Continue reading Obstacle Course
Take Turns Taking a Bite
Encourage sharing and taking turns by asking your child to feed you, too. After they take a bite say, “My turn!” Open your mouth and see if they’ll give you a bite. Say, “Thank you!” and then prompt them to take a turn. They will love having a turn at being in charge!
Exercise Together
Invite your child to help you exercise. Hold them while you do sit-ups, first fast and then slow. Talk about your speed with them. Do leg lifts and raise your leg above their head then back to the ground, talking about their size as you do. What else can you do?
Copy Facial Expressions
Watch your child during mealtime. Are they reacting to how the food tastes and feels? Copy the faces they make and respond. Do they make a happy face when eating something sweet like fruit? You could ask, “Do you like that juicy apple?” Stretch the chat and ask another question or comment on their response.