Explore and Find Games

Materials You Need: Any favorite toys, diapers, scarf, paper towel, canvas bag or pouch, small plastic bottles, various seeds, and small items.

What You Can Do Together: Play hide and seek items. Allow your baby to see you hiding the object under a blanket, diaper, or pillow. If the baby does not start to discover the hidden object, next time cover it partially. Help the baby find the item.

Loosely wrap a small toy in a paper towel or tissue (do not use tape). The child can unroll the package and find a surprise. You can also use some other soft paper or wrapping paper with cheerful colors that rustle. You can also wrap the toy in a thin napkin, cloth, or diaper. Another idea is to make a surprise bag that the child will find in the morning. Fill a paper bag or canvas bag with the following items or other similar items that you may have: a stuffed toy, something that makes a sound, a small plastic jar with a screw cap, or a book with cardboard pages. Encourage your baby to explore the "magic bag". Make sure items are safe and supervise well.

Another idea is to play "pretend games" with a stuffed toy or a doll. Show and tell the child what the doll is doing (walking, going to sleep, eating, playing at the table). Use words to describe what the doll is doing, maybe give the doll a voice - anything that is fun for you and your child. Give the child that toy and see if he will move the doll and do what you do. You can take turns if your child enjoys that game!

Children like to play with objects that produce sounds and make noise. If you have time and have the materials, you could make a more complex rattle by stringing metal bracelets wide enough to fit over the baby's hand. You could also fill small plastic bottles (with lids that children cannot open) with objects that sound different, e.g. marbles, rice, salt, grains of corn, etc. If you do this, be sure to close the lids tightly for safety, and encourage the child to explore the sounds.

You can use this activity when you have some free time, use it for simple play with your child. If there are older siblings, encourage them to play in a similar manner with the youngest member of the family.  

What Your Child is Learning: Your child starts to discover new objects or persons by touching and playing with them. These activities help to develop their fine motor and sensory skills.