At bedtime, invite your child to close their eyes. Then imagine relaxing just one toe, then one whole foot, then one leg. Keep going through their entire body. Afterward, talk about how they feel. Give them a turn to lead you through relaxing.
Author: Sarah Childs
Word Game
Play a word game with your child. Choose a word like “stop.” Ask them, “What happens if you take the ‘s’ away? It’s top.” Then add an “s” at the end—it’s tops. What other words can be switched around like this? Talk together about the different words, real and made-up. Have fun and take turns.
Take Turns Adding to a Story
Look for something you see that could start a story. It could be a picture or an object. Begin with “Once upon a time, there was a … .” Encourage your child to continue the story. Take turns adding to it. It doesn’t matter if the story makes sense, as long as you’re having fun!
Senses in Nature
Outside with your child? Name one of the senses like “see” or “hear.” Encourage them to share everything they notice with that sense, like the sun shining or birds chirping. Then it’s their turn to say one of the senses and your turn to share what you notice. Take turns using all your senses.
Talk About Sounds
Take a few minutes with your child to stop and listen. Ask them what they hear. Does it sound like anything else they know? Have them guess what you hear. Together count how many different sounds you each hear and figure out what they are. How many can you guess?
Clap to the Rhythm
Encourage your child to clap along to the rhythm of a familiar song. Guide them by clapping together. Then ask them to try and keep clapping while you clap to a different song. This may be as hard for you as it is for them!
Chit Chat about Your Day
Talk back and forth with your child about the plans for the day. Maybe you can chat about what you’re having for breakfast. Where are they going for the day? What might you do together? Or what are you both excited to do today?
Silly Song
Turn a familiar tune into a “Silly Song.” Change a word in a song your child knows well and see if they notice. Stretch the moment by asking why that doesn’t work. Can they take a turn to add a silly twist to the song?
Green Light, Red Light
Tell your child to run when you say, “Green light!” and stop when you say, “Red light!” Once they can do it, encourage them to try the opposite: Run when you say, “Red light!” and stop when you say, “Green light!” Try other colors and other actions (skipping, hopping). You can even change the rules… Continue reading Green Light, Red Light
The Stomping Game
Stomp on the ground three times and invite your child to do the same. Now change the pattern and stomp more quickly or add another stomp. Have them suggest a stomping pattern. You can pretend to be dinosaurs or elephants!