Category: Play with

Take turns with your child standing on one foot and then the other, trying to balance. You can say, “Your turn,” and “My turn.” See if you can do it with your eyes closed. What else can you do?

Take turns stacking things with your child to build a tower. Say, “My turn,” as you stack one and then, “Your turn,” as they do. Eventually, stop using words. Do they keep taking turns? Try to playfully break the rules and take two turns. What do they do?

You and your child can play this game anywhere you are. Find a small item to pass back and forth and sing a song as you do. As the song ends, whoever has the object does something special or silly, like blink three times or jump up and down. Take turns.

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 Be a Statue

Smile at your child and wink at them. Then encourage them to try to copy you. When they can do this, change the order—wink first and then smile. You can step it up the challenge by smiling and winking two times.

When brushing your teeth, have your child be your partner. Let them brush their own teeth first, then give them your toothbrush so they can help brush yours. Ask, “Can you help me brush my teeth? Can you brush the ones in the front, and then the ones on the sides?” Take turns!

Ask your child to find an object like a stick or rock and place it on the ground near you. Encourage them to explore different ways of moving over it: Can they jump? Hop over on just one foot? Run and then jump? Take turns jumping with them and talk together about how far you… Continue reading Rock Play

As you help your child dress, put different kinds of fabrics on their bare feet. Talk about how a soft blanket feels on their toes. Then switch to something else, like a scratchy sweater, and describe it. Watch your baby’s reactions and then respond. Which textures do they smile at or pull away from?

Help your child get used to the bathwater by sprinkling some warm water on their toes, feet, legs, and tummy. Watch how they react to the water and respond. Let them know with your words where you will sprinkle the water next and name each part of the body as you go.

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.