My Special Box

Materials You Need: A box that you do not need for other things. It will be great if it has a top that your baby can open; various small items that you do not need, that are placed in the box. Be sure these are safe for baby. They can be some of your baby’s toys, or just items from around the house.

What You Can Do Together: Show your baby the box, take off the top, and be surprised. “Oh, look what is here!  This is your special box, with special things inside. Let’s play with them!” Then you can demonstrate (if you need to) how to pick up the items, take them out of the box, and put them back in. It will be fun if some of them make sounds, like spoons. Let your baby sit and play in a way she likes, with you nearby. 

Be sure to keep the box with the items in the same place, so that your baby can find the box and play independently at times.

What Your Child is Learning: These kinds of activities are helping your child to become more skilled in using the muscles of her fingers and hands.  Cognitive development improves, too, as she plans what to take out and put back, and how things fit together.