Sit on the floor holding your child on your knees. Gently move them up and down, side to side, and explain what’s going on. “Now you’re going up, up in the sky!” “Now you’re moving over to the door,” or “down, down to the ground.” Make up new ones as you go!
Category: Play with
Silly faces
As you hold your child and look into each other’s eyes, make a silly face or sound. How do they respond? With twinkly eyes? A smile? A laugh? Try it again but do something different. This is the beginning of a lifetime of laughs to share together.
Did you hear that?
When you’re outside, ask your child, “Did you hear that?” each time you hear a sound. Imitate the sound out loud and make gestures to go along with it. Invite them to make the sound too.
Figure out where the sound is
Play with your child by using your voice and/or handy things that make a sound. Bang a pan or hum as you move around. Watch them move their head to follow the sound. Smile and talk with them when they figure out where the sound is coming from.
Sound off
Turn waiting into a “Sound Off.” Make different sounds like a whisper, peep, ding, or roar. Pause after each sound so your child can respond. Do they smile? Look at you? Make a sound themself? Try a new sound. Keep going back and forth!
Copy each other while you eat
Time to eat? Invite your child to imitate what you do. Pick up your spoon, take some food and say, “Mmm delicious,” and put the spoon down. Or take tiny bites and have them do the same. Then invite them to do something and you copy them.
Who wears this?
As you sort laundry, ask your child to guess who it belongs to. You can hold up a shirt, “Who wears this?” Let them respond and then they can pick the next piece of clothing and you guess. If they don’t know, you can tell them and share how you know this.
What’s that sound?
Do you hear a sound? Pause. Ask your child, “What’s that sound?” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing a slamming door or papers rustling? The squeak of a sliding chair or someone clearing their throat? Name them all together!
Name that sound
When you’re outside, pause and ask your child to “Name That Sound.” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing children playing or a dog barking? The squeak of a swing or the chirp of a bird? Point out that some things, like ants, don’t make sounds.
Where’s the crayon?
Place something small and safe, like a crayon, in the palm of one hand. Close both hands, asking, “Where’s the Crayon?” When your child points to one of your hands, open it, saying, “Yes, here’s the crayon!” or if the crayon’s not there, open the other hand.
