In the morning, take turns being “Handy Helpers.” Help each other find a pair of socks, pour milk, or zip up a jacket. Ask your child, “Will you please help me __?” Then invite them to ask you for help. It’s a nice way to start the day!
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Play catch
Grab a ball or anything that rolls and is soft and play a game of catch. Roll the ball back and forth and talk to your child about what is happening.
Explore a small space
When you’re out, find a safe spot to let your child explore. Get down to see the world from their point of view. Touch the dirt or the pavement. Do you notice a small creature crawling by? Talk together about what you see and refer back to it later that day.
Describe what they see
While you’re with your child watch what catches their eye. Point to things you see and say what they are. “There’s a black bird and he’s flying!” or “The little girl is jumping.” Watch where they’re looking and say what it is.
If you’re happy and you know it …
Sing “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” (If you don’t know the tune, make up your own.) At the end of the line, clap your hands and ask your child to clap their hands too. Next, try changing up actions: touch your nose, hop on one foot, or snap your fingers.… Continue reading If you’re happy and you know it …
Connect words to body parts
When your child starts to say words or make sounds that could be words, connect them to more words. If they say “nose,” you can say, “There’s your nose and there’s mine.” If they say “beep, beep,” you can say, “The horns on the car go beep, beep.” Later you can ask, “What sound do… Continue reading Connect words to body parts
Play with different containers
Give your child safe containers of different sizes to play with. You can use measuring cups, bowls, or whatever is handy. Encourage them to try placing some of the containers inside others. Talk together about what they’re doing. “Two cups fit inside the big pot.” “Which others fit? Which ones don’t?” Ask questions to keep… Continue reading Play with different containers
Peekaboo Day
Make today “Peekaboo Day.” See how many times and ways you can play “Peekaboo” with your child. Catch their eye around a corner, through your fingers, over a book, from under a chair.
Peekaboo
How many ways can you play “Peekaboo”? You can hide your eyes behind your hand, or use a hat, a napkin, or whatever is handy and then say “Peekaboo!” Help your child take a turn. What can they hide behind? Saying “I see you!” when one of you stops hiding should make you both laugh.
Dangle objects
Place your baby on their back and dangle anything safe, handy, and interesting just out of their reach. Encourage them to follow the objects with their eyes and head or to reach for them. Comment on how hard they try, “You almost touched the spoon!”
