Activity: Pick Me Up! Soft toys, yarn, scissors You know that fun game where your baby drops toys repeatedly on the floor while in the high chair, then cries if you don t pick it up? Here is a solution that turns it into a fun activity for everyone. Before showing the baby this activity, cut a strip of yarn and tie the toys with the yarn to the edge of the high chair. Then show them how to drop the toy, saying Oopsie!, then pulling it backup with the string. Praise your little one when they get the knack of it. Caution: Never leave your child unattended with string. While on the floor, show your baby how to drop toys into a box and pull them out. This is a good time to teach in and out while your baby is playing.
Activity: Pulling Scarves Colorful scarves or strips of fabric, toilet paper tube Tie the scarves or fabric scraps together and insert one end into the toilet paper tube. Show your baby how to grasp the scarves and pull them through. Use this time to stress the ribbons are coming out by saying Out, out, out, look at them come out. CAUTION: Never leave your baby unsupervised, as this could present a strangulation hazard. Grasping and Pulling Tie ribbons together and place inside a wipes box, leaving and end poking out of the opening. Have your baby pull the ribbons out. Now see if, with your help, they can put the ribbons back inside the box for another round.
Activity: A Sticky Situation Stickers, paper With your baby sitting next to you, show them how to remove a sticker and place in on the paper. Peel the edge of the next sticker and let them pull it off and place it on the paper. If your baby gets distracted and wants to play with the sticker, let them. Use this time to have a conversation about what the sticker is, how if feels sticky, and lots of praise once it finally reaches the paper. CAUTION: Do not leave your baby alone with stickers. What other objects can you encourage your child to grasp? Let your baby pull yarn or grab a toothbrush. Have your child trade one object they are holding for another, as this is the beginning of turn-taking.
Activity: In and Out Muffin tin, small age appropriate toys This is the perfect age to let your baby start putting things into containers. Give your baby a basket of small toys and show them how to put things in and take them out of the muffin containers. This would be a good time to have conversations about putting things in and then taking them out. Take this further by giving your baby two objects and telling them to put a specific one into the muffin tin. Put the dog into the tin. Or, use toys of only one color and comment about the color throughout the activity. Look at the yellow duck going in the muffin tin!
Activity: Tower Power Building blocks Using the building blocks, stack them three or four high, then knock them down with great fanfare. Your baby will catch on very quickly and be thrilled to take the part of knocking them down. As you build them, count to three or four, then celebrate once your baby knocks down the tower. Destruction comes naturally in many different forms! Line up toy cars and let them swipe them away. Perfect row of stuffed animals? Looks like a great opportunity to roll into them like a leaf pile!
Activity: If You re Happy And You Know It Nothing required This is the perfect age to encourage babies to begin imitating your gestures. Sit your baby next to you and begin by singing If you re happy and you know it, clap your hands! Then clap your hands. Repeat the song, taking turns clapping your hands and helping your baby clap their hands. When they begin to clap on their own, praise them. You can then use other gestures in the song, like If you re happy and you know it wave bye-bye. Other gestures might be to pat your tummy, touch your nose, or cover your ears. Gross Motor Skills Sit in front of a mirror where your baby can watch you as well as themselves. Make gestures and encourage your baby to imitate them. This doubles the fun!