| 0-3 months Textured Mat Materials Needed: 4 identical size pieces of carpet of different textures (Berber, shag, etc) & Duct Tape. Preparation: Tape all four squares together on bottom side of mats. Goal: To explore different textures, strengthen upper body muscles. Nurturing Strategies: While touching the infant's hand to each section describe how the mat feels. For example: "Olivia this part is soft and this part is rough" , Lay the infant face down on the textured mat, encourage the infant to explore the mat by making comments such as: "Olivia you're touching the soft part of the mat", Periodically reposition the ma so taht all of the different textures are under the infants hands. Addtional Info: Closly observe infants reactions to the mat. They might not like the feeling of all the different textures. Move them around as needed. As infants develop the coordination to raise their head and shoulders, you will observe the emergence of grabbing at the carpet or material under their hands. Hence, this experience provides pracitce for the grasping reflexes. |
| 4-6 months Where did you go? Materials Needed: Lightweight blanket Goal: To develop an understanding of object permanence & to develop cause & effect skills. Nurturing Strategies: Introduce the activity during or after the diapering routine. Wad the blanket into a small ball and hand it to the infant encouraging her to grasp it with both hands. As the infant raises the blanket to her mouth, the child's face may be blocked from your view. In an excited voice ask: Where did Alicia go? The infant will probably lower her arms to look at you. When this happens say "oh there you are Alicia, you didn't leave" to foster the development of cause and effect, show interest in the infant's efforts to create movement. For example say "Alicia when you cover your face I can't see you" Addiontional Info: Hide-N-Seek and Peekaboo are favorite games for children starting at this age. Repetition will promote learning and security. |
| "One small step for man, One giant leap for mankind" Babies learn & grow at an amazingly fast rate...encourage great things with fun easy activities. According to research the most important year for brain development is the first! |
| 7-9 months Turning Pages Materials Needed: 2 or 3 books Goal: practice babbling sounds and to read a book by independently turning the pages. Preparation: Prop the books upright and slightly open on the floor to gain the infants attention. Nurturing Strategies: When the infant crawls near the books, move closer to the child. Observe what the infant does with the book. Note, for example how he turns the pages or how he verbally labels the pictures. While turning the pages and looking at the pictures, the infant may point and babble. Providing positive reinforcement may encourage repetition of the desired behavior. Reinforce the behaviors that you want to see continued. Say for example: "Josh, you are turning the pages by yourself" If a desired behavior was not observed, encouraging the infant may result in the behavior being performed, suggest for example "Josh, point to the bunny, talk to the bunny" If the infant attempts or acomplishes the encouraged behavior, provide postive reinforcement by saying for example "Josh, you pointed to the bunny, you are talking to the bunny" Addiontional Info: Some books are designed especially for infants such as those in which the next page raises slightly when the top is turned. This allows for the infants to easily grasp and turn the page using their thumb and forefinger, which is called a pincer grasp. |
| 10-12 months Basket Throw Materials Needed: laundry basket & several balls Goal: practice throwing an object& refine walking skills Preparation: Clear an area for the basket, near wall if possible. Place the tennis balls around the outside of the laundry basket. Nurturing Strategies: Whenthe infant walks (or crawls) to the area, move closer. Introduce the activity by saying "Jenny this is a game. Throw the balls in the basket. How many balls can you put in the basket?" Demonstrate the activity and then encourage the child to throw the ball in the basket. Count the number of balls that land in the basket. Provide positive reinforcementfor attempts or accomplishments. Comments to say include: "Jenny you threw the ball into the basket" " One, Two, Three. Three balls are in the basket" " You've thrown all the balls in the basket" "You're helping to pick up the balls" When children first learn to throw, they are not coordinated. They often drop the ball behind them, or directly infront of them because they are experimenting with the timing of when to release their grip. This is normal and will improve with practice. Addiontional Info: Young children find throwing exciting. Watch them. Their pleasure is reflected in their facial expressions. |
| 13-18 months Comparing Apples Materials Needed: different colored apples (green, red, yellow) Goal: Identify differences & similarities between objects Preparation: Wash Apples Nurturing Strategies: Show the child the apples, then ask "What are these?" "Are these all the same color?" cut the apples into slices. Provide one color at a time for the child to taste. Discuss how each type of apple tastes. Introduce words such as sweet or tart. Ask the toddler if one type of apple is preferable. Dicuss how some people like the same apples and some people like different apples. Continue to talk about the apples while you are having a snack. Addiontional Info: The ability to percieve, store, recall and use information is a key element in cognitive development, they concentrate on everything they do. If activities are developmentally appropriate, the toddlers will be interested. However, if handed a toy from an earlier period, they may be bored and move away. To increase th e challenge of this activity introduce a variety of different fruits for the child to taste and compare. |
| 19-24 months You are Special Materials Needed: none, if you can remember the song, otherwise index cards and a pen to write this down Goal: to feel pride in oneself, and recognize oneself as someone special Preparation: memorize the words to this song (to the tune of "Thumkin") "You are special, you are special, yes you are, yes you are, you are very special, you are very special, because you're you, because you're you" Nurturing Strategies: Introduce the sone before nap time or during a quiet time. This can be sung to the child using your 'soft' voice to calm and soothe. Repeat the song several times until the toddler is ready to rest. Addiontional Info: Talk about the specific positive traits that make the toddler special. Toddlers often have a difficult time calming down at nap time. As with infants, toddlers need predictability and consistency. Therefore, routines are important for guiding their behavior. |
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