Sitting in traffic makes anyone antsy. So turn it into a clapping game with just a few simple rules. If the radio is on, have your child clap to the music. If you turn the radio off, they stop clapping and freeze.
Category: 6 Loving Habits
The Big Game
Play “The Big Game” by naming something big. Then ask your child, “Can you name something that’s bigger?” Take turns and keep playing until you come up with the biggest, most gigantic, huge thing you can think of. Switch it up and name the smallest thing you can think of.
Point out the same color
Ask your child, “What color is your shirt today (or pants or dress)?” Then ask, “What other things are that color?” Add your ideas, too, and make it a back and forth game. See how many things you can think of.
Sandwich Shapes
Sandwiches can seem even better when they aren’t square. As you make one for your child, ask, “How many pieces do you want?” Count them together. Talk about their shapes or arrange them on a plate in a new shape and ask what it looks like now.
Give options
Try giving your child some options today. As you’re getting dressed give them a choice between two shirts. Ask them why they like the one they have chosen, where they remember wearing it. What else has the same color or pattern?
Repeat sounds
When you’re doing the dishes, use one of the clean pots and a spoon to make a drum. Copy each other’s sounds. Go back and forth taking turns, repeating the same sounds. Build on each other’s rhythm.
Stay silent game
While waiting, challenge your child to see how long both of you can be silent. Let them be the timer. You can use your face and body movements to communicate. Whoever stays silent the longest wins!
Stop-and-go
While at the park, play a game of “Stop-and-Go” with your child. When you say “go” you both run, dance, and jump around. Then, when you say “stop” everybody freezes. After a few rounds, let them be the one to shout the commands.
Create real life and book connections
When out and about, point out things you and your child have read about in books or seen in their favorite show. For example, “See that dog over there? Where have we seen a dog that looks like that?” or “When you wear your red coat it makes you look like a superhero! Are there… Continue reading Create real life and book connections
Rhyming Words
Pick a word and take turns saying words that rhyme with it. Keep going until you run out of words that rhyme. Then let your child pick a word. See if you can come up with silly ones to keep it fun like “slinky, pinkie, stinky.”