Does your child love to throw things? Set up an experiment together. Get different safe things for them to throw, like a scarf, rolled up socks, a paper cup, etc. Which one can they throw the farthest? Talk about what they notice.
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Move in Different Ways
Challenge your child to move as slowly as possible to get somewhere, like to a nearby tree. How slowly can you both move? Try different ways to move, like by hopping or jumping.
Create a Dance Routine
Let your child pick a fun, fast song to dance to. Take turns making up dance moves. They can start, then you copy them. Keep going back and forth as you both repeat the moves and add new one. Before you know it you will have a whole dance routine!
Follow the Leader
Walking somewhere? Turn your trip into “Follow the Leader.” Ask your child, “Can you do what I do?” while you pat your head. Then switch it up. If you pat your head, have them pat their stomach. Keep switching!
Copy Play
Ask your child, “Can you do what I do?” Walk forward or backward, bend down, or reach up high. Talk with them about what you’re doing like, “Touch your toes and touch the sky!” Then give them a turn to lead. Change the game and see if they can do the opposite of what you… Continue reading Copy Play
Freeze Play
Ask your child to pretend to be a statue and freeze in a pose, like standing on one foot. Try to have them hold this pose as long as possible while you do everything you can to make them laugh and move. Then you can take a turn as the statue and see if they… Continue reading Freeze Play
Imaginary Play
Does your child like to pretend? Tell them there is an imaginary flower growing on their nose. Describe what it looks like. Then pretend to grab it! Now say there is a flower on their ear and grab it too. Have them describe and grab the flowers on you and enjoy the joke.
Hand Song
Use hand actions for your favorite rhyme or song, or make up your own. Face your child and hold their hands so they mirror you. Vary your tone of voice from high to low and use a big, expressive way of speaking or singing.
Copy Dance Moves
Let your child pick a fun, fast song to dance to. Ask them to make a dance move and then copy what they do. Take turns going back and forth copying each other’s dance moves.
Fast-Slow Race
Invite your child to have a “Fast-Slow Race.” Find a starting line and count out loud together, “one, two, three!”, then go! As you get going, call out “slow!” Can they adjust their speed? Give them a turn calling out “fast” or “slow.” How fast can you go? How slow?
