These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
FOR INFANTS
Learning Objective - Discovering your hands
Babies love to stare at interesting faces and toys.
Take several colorful toys and, one at a time, slowly move it back and forth in front of your baby to stimulate his vision.
This is also the time when babies discover their hands. They watch and watch and finally discover that they can make their hands appear and disappear.
Take your baby’s hands and gently clap them in front of his face. As you do this, say the following poem:
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.
Put your hands on Mommy’s face. (substitute name of the person doing the rhyme with baby)
Clap your hands together.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together
Put your hands on baby’s face (substitute child’s name)
Clap your hands together
Things to do to take this activity to the next level:
For building confidence – Use encouraging phrases to tell the baby what a good job she is doing.
For developing the idea – Continue playing the game and adding new parts to touch. Hair, eyes, nose and lips are good to start with.
For moving forward - Say “I can clap my hands.” Clap your hands. Now say, “You can clap your hands.” Take the baby’s hands and clap them. Repeat this except the next time, clap the baby’s hands once and encourage her to do it by herself.
Learning Objectives – To strengthen your baby’s back and neck
Lie on your back and put your baby on your tummy.
With your hands firmly around his waist or chest, raise your baby in the air and up to your face.
Say the following and do the actions:
Where’s my baby?
There he is. (lift him up to your face)
Where’s my baby?
There he is. (bring him back down to your tummy)
Where’s my baby?
There he is. (bring him back up to your face)
Where’s my baby?
There he is. (bring him back down to your tummy)
Where’s my baby? Up high, high, high. (bring your baby up high over your face)
Where’s my baby? (bring him back down to your tummy
Keep repeating the high, high, high part.
Things to do to take this activity to the next level:
For building confidence - Each time you go high, add a fun sound like “whee” or “yay,”
For developing the idea - Continue to play games with your baby where you hold him and take him high in the air. With older infants, sit on the floor with your baby sitting in front of you. While holding him firmly around his waist or chest, rock back and forth or side to side. Sing a song as you play this game.
For moving forward - Brain research says that developing strength and balance lays the groundwork for crawling and internal feelings of self-confidence.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Music for Learning
These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
Learning Objective - Using different parts of the body
Sit on the floor with the children and ask them to follow the actions. Sing to the tune of "London Bridge."
Now it's time to touch our nose, touch our nose, touch our nose
Now it's time to touch our nose
Here it is! (touch your nose)
Now it's time to blink our eyes – here they are
Now it's time to touch our toes
Now it's time to shake our feet
Now it's time to stand up tall – I am tall
Now it's time to sit back down – I can sit
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Say, “I can touch my nose. Where is your nose?” Continue on with different parts of the body.
For developing the idea – Say, “can you touch my nose?” Name different body parts and let the child touch them on your body.
For moving forward - Ask the children to do the actions in the song with a stuffed animal.
Learning Objective - Using music for transitions
Children need time for finishing one activity and to get ready for the next one.
Music is a wonderful way to help children recognize that it’s time to finish what they are doing. Remember that their time line is different from yours. They are focusing on their project and time is not on their mind.
You can play music using the same song each time or you can sing something.
For example, you can sing to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down.”
Now it’s time to have a snack, have a snack, have a snack,
Now it’s time to have a snack,
Please pass the juice.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Compliment the children on what a good job they are doing.
For developing the idea – Ask the children how they change activities at home.
Going from sleeping to getting up and getting dressed.
Stop playing to get ready for dinner.
Getting ready to play outside.
For moving forward – Say, “let’s make up another song about changing activities.”
Recommended Products
Hand Tom Tom (TOM)
Wooden Sorting and Matching Ducks (CLRDUCK)
Gingerbread Sort and Snap (GINGERB)
Learning Objective - Using different parts of the body
Sit on the floor with the children and ask them to follow the actions. Sing to the tune of "London Bridge."
Now it's time to touch our nose, touch our nose, touch our nose
Now it's time to touch our nose
Here it is! (touch your nose)
Now it's time to blink our eyes – here they are
Now it's time to touch our toes
Now it's time to shake our feet
Now it's time to stand up tall – I am tall
Now it's time to sit back down – I can sit
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Say, “I can touch my nose. Where is your nose?” Continue on with different parts of the body.
For developing the idea – Say, “can you touch my nose?” Name different body parts and let the child touch them on your body.
For moving forward - Ask the children to do the actions in the song with a stuffed animal.
Learning Objective - Using music for transitions
Children need time for finishing one activity and to get ready for the next one.
Music is a wonderful way to help children recognize that it’s time to finish what they are doing. Remember that their time line is different from yours. They are focusing on their project and time is not on their mind.
You can play music using the same song each time or you can sing something.
For example, you can sing to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down.”
Now it’s time to have a snack, have a snack, have a snack,
Now it’s time to have a snack,
Please pass the juice.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Compliment the children on what a good job they are doing.
For developing the idea – Ask the children how they change activities at home.
Going from sleeping to getting up and getting dressed.
Stop playing to get ready for dinner.
Getting ready to play outside.
For moving forward – Say, “let’s make up another song about changing activities.”
Recommended Products
Hand Tom Tom (TOM)
Wooden Sorting and Matching Ducks (CLRDUCK)
Gingerbread Sort and Snap (GINGERB)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Toddler Brain Development
These games will help to grow the brains of toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
Learning Objective - Learning to communicate verbally
You will need a rhythm stick and some smiley face stickers.
Decorate a brightly colored rhythm stick with smiley face stickers.
Seat the children in a circle and pass the stick around one child at a time. The child who is holding the stick taps it on the floor and says "My name is -----, and I like -----. Then she passes it on to the next child.
The children really enjoy this game and also discover that they have similar likes. This games is also excellent for eye-hand coordination.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step.
For building confidence - “I like the way you hit the stick and told what you like.”
For developing the idea - “Can you tell me other things that you like?”
For moving forward: - “Lets draw some pictures of things that you like.”
Learning Objective - Developing fine motor skills
Say this finger play with your children.
Two nice fathers met in the lane
(hold thumbs up)
Bowed most politely and bowed again.
(bend thumbs toward each other)
How do you do, how do you do
And how do you do again
(move thumbs as if they were talking to one another)
Continue on with the finger play.
Index finger - two nice mothers met in the lane....etc
Middle finger - two nice teachers....etc
Ring finger - two nice children....etc
Little fingers - two little babies....etc
When you say "babies" it's fun to talk "baby talk."
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step.
For building confidence –“ Let’s say the poem again as we move our fingers.”
For developing the idea - “You be one father and I’ll be the other as we move our thumbs.”
For moving forward – “What other family members could you make up to go with this poem?”
Learning Objective - Learning to communicate verbally
You will need a rhythm stick and some smiley face stickers.
Decorate a brightly colored rhythm stick with smiley face stickers.
Seat the children in a circle and pass the stick around one child at a time. The child who is holding the stick taps it on the floor and says "My name is -----, and I like -----. Then she passes it on to the next child.
The children really enjoy this game and also discover that they have similar likes. This games is also excellent for eye-hand coordination.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step.
For building confidence - “I like the way you hit the stick and told what you like.”
For developing the idea - “Can you tell me other things that you like?”
For moving forward: - “Lets draw some pictures of things that you like.”
Learning Objective - Developing fine motor skills
Say this finger play with your children.
Two nice fathers met in the lane
(hold thumbs up)
Bowed most politely and bowed again.
(bend thumbs toward each other)
How do you do, how do you do
And how do you do again
(move thumbs as if they were talking to one another)
Continue on with the finger play.
Index finger - two nice mothers met in the lane....etc
Middle finger - two nice teachers....etc
Ring finger - two nice children....etc
Little fingers - two little babies....etc
When you say "babies" it's fun to talk "baby talk."
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step.
For building confidence –“ Let’s say the poem again as we move our fingers.”
For developing the idea - “You be one father and I’ll be the other as we move our thumbs.”
For moving forward – “What other family members could you make up to go with this poem?”
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Infant Brain Development
These games will help to grow the brains of infants. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
Learning Objective - Identifying Body Parts
Sit in front of a mirror with your baby in your lap.
Say, “Who is that baby?”
Wave your baby’s hand and say, “Hi, baby.”
Say, “Where’s the baby’s foot?”
Wave your baby’s foot and say, “Hi, foot.”
Continue asking questions and moving different parts of your baby’s body.
Shake heads, wave bye-bye, clap hands, etc.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Repeat the actions with a complimentary remark. For example, you can say, “What a nice foot.”
For developing the idea – Add new actions with each body part. Move the body part up and down or back and forth.
For moving forward – Ask the person in the mirror questions about additional body parts, For example, “Where are your fingernails?”
Learning Objective - Developing fine motor skills
Show the children how to take the thumb of one hand and put it into the fist of the other hand.
Practice this activity several times.
Take your thumb and put it into the fist of the other hand.
Say the following rhyme with great drama.
Jack in the box
You sit so still
Can you come out?
Yes, I will. – pull thumb out of fist
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – “Can you show me your thumb? Can you make a fist?”
For developing the idea – “Can you put your thumb of one hand in the fist of your other hand?” (help the child if they cannot do it themselves)
For moving forward - “You did a good shop with that poem. Let’s try to make our bodies be a jack-in-the-box.
Learning Objective - Identifying Body Parts
Sit in front of a mirror with your baby in your lap.
Say, “Who is that baby?”
Wave your baby’s hand and say, “Hi, baby.”
Say, “Where’s the baby’s foot?”
Wave your baby’s foot and say, “Hi, foot.”
Continue asking questions and moving different parts of your baby’s body.
Shake heads, wave bye-bye, clap hands, etc.
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – Repeat the actions with a complimentary remark. For example, you can say, “What a nice foot.”
For developing the idea – Add new actions with each body part. Move the body part up and down or back and forth.
For moving forward – Ask the person in the mirror questions about additional body parts, For example, “Where are your fingernails?”
Learning Objective - Developing fine motor skills
Show the children how to take the thumb of one hand and put it into the fist of the other hand.
Practice this activity several times.
Take your thumb and put it into the fist of the other hand.
Say the following rhyme with great drama.
Jack in the box
You sit so still
Can you come out?
Yes, I will. – pull thumb out of fist
Things you can do to take this activity to the next step:
For building confidence – “Can you show me your thumb? Can you make a fist?”
For developing the idea – “Can you put your thumb of one hand in the fist of your other hand?” (help the child if they cannot do it themselves)
For moving forward - “You did a good shop with that poem. Let’s try to make our bodies be a jack-in-the-box.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Music for Learning
These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
Circles and Music
Sit with your baby in your lap facing you.
Take one of his hands and move it around in a circular motion.
As you move it in a circular motion, sing the following to the tune of “In and Out the Window.”
Go round and round the circle
Go round and round the circle
Go round and round the circle
A circle’s very round.
Take the other hand and do the same thing.
Now move both hands at the same time.
Make circles high in the air, sideways, down low, etc.
Play some instrumental music and make the circles as you listen with your baby.
This game is a good prelude for drawing shapes to music.
Song Patting
Try song patting when changing a diaper, giving your child a bath, or any time.
Sing a favorite song to your little one and, at the same time, pat her tummy or back with your index finger to the rhythm of the song.
Always end the song with a snuggly kiss.
You can also sing one line of the song and pat only one word. For example, “Twinkle, twinkle, little (pat the word “star” but don’t sing it).”
This game helps develop a child’s sense of rhythm and listening skills.
Brain research says that for a young child's brain to grow and thrive, the child needs to be loved, held, talked to, read to, and allowed to explore.
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
Soft Block Farm - 29pcs - SFTFARM
Dressing Dolls - 18" - DRESSY
Squishy Turtle Book - NBBK33
Rhythm Sticks Movement Set - 25 pcs - ROCKSET
Circles and Music
Sit with your baby in your lap facing you.
Take one of his hands and move it around in a circular motion.
As you move it in a circular motion, sing the following to the tune of “In and Out the Window.”
Go round and round the circle
Go round and round the circle
Go round and round the circle
A circle’s very round.
Take the other hand and do the same thing.
Now move both hands at the same time.
Make circles high in the air, sideways, down low, etc.
Play some instrumental music and make the circles as you listen with your baby.
This game is a good prelude for drawing shapes to music.
Song Patting
Try song patting when changing a diaper, giving your child a bath, or any time.
Sing a favorite song to your little one and, at the same time, pat her tummy or back with your index finger to the rhythm of the song.
Always end the song with a snuggly kiss.
You can also sing one line of the song and pat only one word. For example, “Twinkle, twinkle, little (pat the word “star” but don’t sing it).”
This game helps develop a child’s sense of rhythm and listening skills.
Brain research says that for a young child's brain to grow and thrive, the child needs to be loved, held, talked to, read to, and allowed to explore.
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
Soft Block Farm - 29pcs - SFTFARM
Dressing Dolls - 18" - DRESSY
Squishy Turtle Book - NBBK33
Rhythm Sticks Movement Set - 25 pcs - ROCKSET
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Games for Toddlers
These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
FOR TODDLERS
Choo Choo Happy Game
When you repeat the same word many times and then change to a new word, your toddler will pay attention to the new word. This is called “shaping.”
Hold your toddler on your lap facing you.
Say the words “choo choo” as you bounce her up and down on your knees. Repeat the words several times and then add a different word. For example:
Choo choo choo choo happy
Repeat this several times so that she becomes familiar with the new word “happy.”
Now, use the new word “happy” in several sentences.
“I’m a happy mom,” or “Here’s a happy face.”
Now say the word “happy” several times and add a new word.
Happy, happy, happy, happy, (new word).
Use the new word in a few sentences before you play the game again.
Your baby will become familiar with the word “happy” and other words that you use and will recognize them when she hears them.
This game teaches word recognition.
FOR TODDLERS
Choo Choo Happy Game
When you repeat the same word many times and then change to a new word, your toddler will pay attention to the new word. This is called “shaping.”
Hold your toddler on your lap facing you.
Say the words “choo choo” as you bounce her up and down on your knees. Repeat the words several times and then add a different word. For example:
Choo choo choo choo happy
Repeat this several times so that she becomes familiar with the new word “happy.”
Now, use the new word “happy” in several sentences.
“I’m a happy mom,” or “Here’s a happy face.”
Now say the word “happy” several times and add a new word.
Happy, happy, happy, happy, (new word).
Use the new word in a few sentences before you play the game again.
Your baby will become familiar with the word “happy” and other words that you use and will recognize them when she hears them.
This game teaches word recognition.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Games for Infants
These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the pathways of their brains to make new connections.
FOR INFANTS
Develop your infant’s language skills when you prepare a meal or snack by chanting the following verse or singing it to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”
It’s time to find the milk
It’s time to find the milk
Hi, ho, the derry oh
It’s time to find the milk.
Walk to the refrigerator and take out the milk carton. Say, “Oh boy, I love milk. Yum, yum.”
Use the chant with other foods or household items. Take out the item, chant the verse, and then talk about the food.
-------------------------------------------------------
Expressing pleasant emotions with your baby is very good for brain development.
In addition, games such as this one develop language skills.
Brain research says that tone and facial expressions are understood before words. Emotional learning is intertwined with all domains of learning.
Try this game.
This Is Bill
1. Sit your baby on your lap
2. Hold one ankle in each hand as you say the following rhyme:
This is Bill and this is Jill.
They went out to play.
Over and over, (move his legs over each other)
Over and over, (move his legs over in the other direction)
“This is fun,” said Bill and Jill.
And then they said, “Hooray!” (give your baby a big hug)
FOR INFANTS
Develop your infant’s language skills when you prepare a meal or snack by chanting the following verse or singing it to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”
It’s time to find the milk
It’s time to find the milk
Hi, ho, the derry oh
It’s time to find the milk.
Walk to the refrigerator and take out the milk carton. Say, “Oh boy, I love milk. Yum, yum.”
Use the chant with other foods or household items. Take out the item, chant the verse, and then talk about the food.
-------------------------------------------------------
Expressing pleasant emotions with your baby is very good for brain development.
In addition, games such as this one develop language skills.
Brain research says that tone and facial expressions are understood before words. Emotional learning is intertwined with all domains of learning.
Try this game.
This Is Bill
1. Sit your baby on your lap
2. Hold one ankle in each hand as you say the following rhyme:
This is Bill and this is Jill.
They went out to play.
Over and over, (move his legs over each other)
Over and over, (move his legs over in the other direction)
“This is fun,” said Bill and Jill.
And then they said, “Hooray!” (give your baby a big hug)
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