The following describes how and when babies learn. Included are some activities to help promote each type of development.

Social/Emotional Play
Developmental Milestones

Birth to 5 Months

• Begins to trust and bond with caregivers.
• Develops different cries to signal different needs.
• Cries when in need of something.
• Smiles spontaneously and responsively. Smiles at reflection in mirror.
• Can show happy and sad feelings by making sounds.
• Enjoys looking at people and faces.
• Recognizes familiar people.
• Concerned with satisfaction of needs.
• Likes movement- being held and rocked.
• Expresses discomfort by crying or tensing body.
• Can make sounds to get attention.
• Laughs aloud.
• Socializes with anyone but knows mother, father, and primary caregivers.

5 Months to 9 Months

• Prefers primary caregiver.
• May cry when strangers approach.
• Commonly shows anxiety when parent or caregiver leaves.
• Pats own reflection in the mirror.
• May push away things not wanted.
• Begins to play with adults.

9 Months to 12 Months

• Extends attachments beyond mother, father, and caregivers.
• Knows that objects exist even when they can’t be seen; thus knows that when parents or caregivers leave, they will return.
• Friendly and affectionate with caregivers- less so with strangers.
• Begins playing with children.
• Likes to watch other children and join in the action.
• Responds to his or her name.

Emotionally, infants depend on adults to meet all their needs. You should respond quickly and consistently to each infant’s needs and schedules. Observe each child’s personality and use what you know about him/her to build a relationship. It is very important that infants bond with their caregiver in order for them to be happy and develop successfully. When babies understand that they are loved and their needs will be met, they are happier, more relaxed, and less fearful.

Activities for Emotional Development

• Touch, stroke, and massage infants to help develop bonds.
• Help the baby be happy and encourage joy by singing songs, reading books, playing games, and by letting them know you are happy too.
• Be attentive and respond to baby’s needs. You cannot spoil a baby!
• Interact, rather than react to babies.
• Read and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Tommy Thumb- Baby responds to your voice and touch. Say the rhyme as you touch the baby’s fingers one by one. On the final verse, wave the baby’s hand.

Fine Motor Developmental Milestones

Birth to 5 Months

• Grasps objects reflexively with hands.
• Holds something in either hand.
• Starts to discover own hands and takes them to mouth.
• Begins to follow moving people and objects with eyes, and looks from one object to another.
• Begins to voluntarily hold on to objects.
• Goes from hands closed all the time to keeping hands open all the time.
• Can pat or put hands on a bottle.
• Makes eye contact.
• Watches your mouth when you talk.
• Can hold and shake a small toy.
• Looks at hands and feet.
• Begins to follows with eyes upward, downward, and horizontally and looks at distant objects.

5 Months to 9 Months

• Frees his hands to play with toys.
• Can transfer toys from hand to hand and drops them.
• Tries to pick up small objects by “raking” with fingers.
• Can hold a small object in each hand and manipulates a toy using wrist movements.
• Drops things on purpose.
• Holds a bottle.
• Plays with paper.
• Develops eye-hand coordination.
• Feeds himself finger foods.
• Takes things out of containers.
• Claps his hands.

9 Months to 12 Months

• Pokes with index finger and grasps with thumb and fingertip.
• Holds a spoon or fork.
• Drops things into a small opening or container.
• Can wave bye-bye with hands.
• Pokes at holes with pointing fingers.
• Tears paper.
• Begins to scribble.
• Fits one thing into another.

Activities for Fine Motor Development

• Practice new skills such as grasping or touching objects.
• Patty Cake- pat the baby’s hands together to the rhythm of the poem

Gross Motor Developmental Milestones

Birth to 5 Months

• Turns head from side to side.
• Lifts head when held at shoulder.
• Moves arms and legs actively.
• Holds head up when held in a sitting position.
• Holds head and chest up when lying on stomach.
• Swipes at objects.
• Begins to turn head toward your voice or other sounds.
• Can bat or hit at things.
• Reaches out when on stomach.
• Tries to pull up to sitting position.
• Can bounce when held in a standing position.
• Lifts head to look around.
• Reaches toward a toy.
• Rolls from back to side or stomach to back.
• Begins to stabilize shoulders so the arms can be mobile.
• Explores his/her body and what it can do.

5 Months to 9 Months

• May be able to climb stairs.
• Scoots on stomach.
• Plays with things by banging them together.
• Sits in a highchair.
• Reaches out with one hand to pick something up.
• Can support some weight when in a standing position.
• Can get into a sitting position.
• Straightens wrist and elbow when reaching.
• Rocks on hands and knees.
• Copies some familiar actions.
• Makes noise with things on purpose.
• Pick up, push, or shove large things.
• Pulls a string.
• Sits without support.
• Crawls after a ball or toy.
• Pulls self to standing position.
• Walks with support.

9 Months to 12 Months

• May begin to walk without support.
• Achieves mobility-strong urge to climb and crawl.
• Stands without support.
• Pulls up to stand.
• Crawl, scoot, creep, or move well from one place to another.
• Crawls around and over things.
• Crawls while holding something.
• Begins to stoop or lower himself to a sitting position rather then falling.
• Tries to roll a ball.
• Copies new gestures.
• Cooperates with dressing by extending an arm or leg.
• Can help pull off simple clothing.

Activities for Gross Motor Development

• Lay baby face down on a blanket. Place a rattle or book in front of the baby. Encourage baby to lift their head and look at the object or scoot toward the object.
• Call baby’s name as they crawl to you.
• Help baby learn to stand by supporting him/her and gently bouncing him/her. Then, show him/her how to sit back down.
• Help the baby learn to crawl by crawling on the floor where he/she can watch.
• Give the baby his own drawer to empty and refill.
• Play ball with the baby. Roll the ball gently and show them how to catch it. Sing the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat as you play:

• Leg lifts- Lay baby on his/her back and gently move their legs up and down and around like they are on a bike.
• Reach for the Stars- Lay baby on his/her back and hold an object overhead. Encourage the baby to reach up and grab the object.
• Jingle Bells- Place elastic with bells attached on the baby’s wrists and ankles. Encourage movement to make noise.
• Feather Tickle- Tickle the baby with a soft feather to encourage large muscle movements.
• Make-Believe Horsy- Bounce or sway the baby gently on you knee or lower thigh, facing you. Support the baby’s head in a sitting position.
• Superman- Support the baby by placing your hands under his chest and hips. Then hold them in the air in the “Superman” position. Encourage the baby to put out his arms and fly!
• Tug-O-War – Lay the baby on his/her stomach or side and encourage the baby to pull at a blanket with you.
• Swinging Colors- Tie pretty beads or stacking rings to a colorful ribbon above changing area.
• View from a Blanket- Lay baby on a soft blanket, keep out of traffic area and keep area uncluttered. Place a few objects in front of the baby to reach for.
• Exer-Saucer- 10-15 minutes depending on interest.
• Johnny Jumper- 10-15 minutes depending on interest.
• Bouncy Seats- 10-15 minutes depending on interest.
• Foot Painting- Put globs of paint next to baby’s feet or hands on a large sheet of paper.
• Overhead Mobiles- pictures of faces, toys, objects, etc…
• Cradle Gym- Lay baby on back and place gym above baby. Help baby hit with hands and feet.
• Kick Start- Lay baby on back and secure kick-start against a wall. Encourage baby to kick the plate to hear sounds and music.
• Roll Over With Help- Lay baby on back and gently pull their far leg over so that they roll to their tummy.
• Upsy Daisy- Lay baby on lap or floor. Grasp hands and gently pull up to a sitting or standing position.
• Beach Ball Fun- Roll a big beach ball toward baby and encourage him/her to reach for it.
• Copy Cat- Place baby in high chair or bouncy seat and encourage him/her to copy your actions such as banging the tray, clapping your hands, or kicking his/her feet.
• Toy Toss- Encourage babies to toss a toy and crawl or scoot toward it.
• Toys on a String- Tie a string to baby’s favorite toy and place the toy near baby. Slowly pull the toy to encourage movement.
• Cushion Climb- Place sofa cushions on the floor and allow baby to climb on.
• Obstacle Course- Set up a little course for babies to climb on and play in.
• hula hoop to crawl through
• pillow to crawl over
• beach balls to push away or crawl around
• boxes to crawl in or through
• blocks to pile up
• mobiles to hit
• Pulling Up For Toys- Place toys slightly above the baby on a shelf or table and encourage them to pull up to it.
• Hide’N’Seek- Show baby a toy and place it in a box. Help baby find it and get it out.
• Mirror, Mirror On The Wall- Place baby in front of or on top of a mirror so the baby can see movement.
• Catch Me Noisemaker- Fill an oatmeal container, empty shampoo bottle, or coffee can with beans, money, or rice. Encourage the baby to crawl after the rolling toy.
• Up, Up, and Away- Place a helium filled balloon on a weighted object near baby. Encourage the baby to reach up and pull the balloon.

Intellectual Play

Intellectual/Cognitive Developmental Milestones

Birth to 5 Months

• Use their senses—tasting, touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing— to learn about the world.
• Experiment with objects and sounds and enjoy discovering what effect their actions have.
• Communicate with others through actions and sounds (coos).
• Smiles and expresses pleasure when they see faces.
• Looks at patterns (shapes, faces).
• Responds to familiar voices.
• Turns eye and head toward a familiar voice.
• Makes soft vowel sounds: uh, ah.
• Responds to and distinguishes among smells.
• Recognizes primary caregiver.
• Likes to watch objects and people.
• Enjoys being held and spoken to.
• Looks a clear, simple pictures or designs.
• Answers a sound you make with another sound.

5 Months to 9Months

• Babbles to himself or herself.
• Likes to explore.
• Begins to copy new sounds you make.
• Turns head and shoulders toward soft, familiar sounds.
• Solves simple problems.
• Looks at pictures when named.
• Responds to changes in environment and is able to repeat actions that cause change.
• Fascinated with small objects.
• Understands simple phrases.
• Begins to respond to words.

9 Months to 12 Months

• Demonstrates intentional behavior- imitates actions.
• Eager for sensory experiences.
• Explores what is in containers.
• Curious about everything.
• Stares for long periods of time to gain information.
• Interested in and understands words.
• Says some words.
• Likes to look at books.
• Points or looks to familiar objects when asked to do so.
• Frowns when scolded.
• Imitates sounds heard: moo, baa baa, etc.
• Combines gestures with words.
• Follows a few simple directions.
• Turns pages in a book.
• Spends longer amount of time doing one thing.
• Shows interest in things farther away.
• Knows where familiar things are kept.
• Gives toys or objects upon request.

• Speak closely and directly to the baby with frequent eye contact.
• Use other actions and sounds to increase meaning and enjoyment.
• In the early months, use speech with a singsong quality and slightly higher pitch. Speak more slowly than usual. Talk while you feed, bathe, and diaper.
• Simplify your speech. Shorten your sentences. Repeat what you say often. Refer to things the baby can understand.
• When the baby uses a new word, show them how it can be used in a sentence.
• Repeat and expand on what the baby has said.
• Respond to infant’s early cooing sounds and words by repeating them back.

Language Development Activities

• Read, tell stories, use finger plays, chant nursery rhymes, and sing songs.
• Books for Babies! Remember: Settle the baby in your lap when reading stories to them. Hard, study books, cloth books, and laminate books are best for babies. They like books with lots of repetition and simple rhymes. Don’t read, point and name objects and encourage babies to repeat the sounds you make. Put life into your reading. Don’t stay on one page to long. It’s okay if you skip pages, shorten the story, go back to pages already read, or if the baby becomes disinterested and you end the story early.
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
• I Love You as Much… by Laura Kraus Melmed
• White on Black by Tana Hoban
• All About Baby published by DK
• Helen Oxenbury Books
• Happy Birthday by Debbie Bailey
• Spot at Home by Eric Hill
• Clifford’s Animal Sounds by Norman Bridwell
• Elmer’s Colors by David McKee
• It’s My Day by Priddy Bicknell
• Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Blumenthal
• Any other books with texture
• Fingerplays:
• Tommy Thumb*
• This Little Piggy*
• Patty Cake*
• Two Little Blackbirds*
• Five Fingers*
• Ten Little Fingers (Point to baby’s body parts)
I have ten little fingers and ten little toes.
Two little arms and one little nose.
One little mouth and two little ears.
Two little eyes for smiles and tears.
One little head and two little feet.
One little chin, that makes baby’s name complete!

• Nursery Rhymes:
• Jack and Jill
• Hickory Dickory Dock*
• Little Miss Muffet
• Eensy, Weensy Spider
• Humpty Dumpty
• Songs and Chants:
• Eye Winker, Tom Tinker (Point to baby’s parts and at the end tickle the baby gently)

Eye winker, Tom Tinker
Nose smeller, mouth eater
Chin Chopper, Gully, Gully, Gully!

• Bumblebee On My Nose – Sung to Jingle Bells (Point to Baby’s Body Parts)

Bumblebee, Bumblebee, Landing on my toes
Bumlbebee, Bumblebee, Now he’s on my nose
On my arms, and on my legs, on my elbows.
Bumblebee, oh, Bumblebee, He lands and then he goes!

• Look at objects and label them such as body parts, pictures, food, etc.
• Allow babies to look through old magazines or junk mail with pictures.
• Make teacher made books using pictures, photographs, and textured materials that you have around the house.
• Make children made books from artwork collected around the room.
• Sweet Talk- Talk to the baby using a whisper, repeating their name. Softly hum a tune.
• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall- Place the baby in front of a mirror and name body parts or hug and kiss the baby.
• Face Me- Place the baby in your lap facing you. Put a sticker on one part of your face. As the child reaches for it, name that part and repeat with other parts on your face.
• Use a puppet friend and change your voice as you tell stories, sing songs, and play with babies.
• Baby Slang- Use baby slang such as, “all gone”, “go bye-bye”, and “uh, oh” when talking to babies.
• Telephone Talk- Use an old phone and model telephone talk to the baby. Encourage the baby to say “hello” and “bye-bye”.
• Picture Place- Set up a picture place in the diapering area, near the crib, or in the play area for babies to look at familiar objects. Sit with the baby and describe some of the objects.
• Texture Picture- Make a large poster size picture with textures such as buttons, yarn, cotton balls, etc… for babies to touch.
• Picture Flower, Real Flower- Show babies pictures of objects and then have the actual object for the baby to feel. Describe and name the object.
• Set up a book area. Use a low shelf and have hard page books for children to view.
• Label items so that children can begin connecting words with objects.
• Allow for routine, special talk times. Make a point everyday to place the baby in your lap and talk with the baby.
• Use words to express baby’s feelings. When they cry, tell them they are sad or hurt. When they laugh, tell them they are happy.
• While you are away from the baby, talk to him/her so that they can here you and learn to communicate.
• Watching Talking- Let the baby see your mouth move when you talk so that they learn the source of communication.

Creative Play

Learning Through Art Activities

• Make a Mess- Let the baby smear something like yogurt, whipped cream, or pudding on a mirror or highchair tray. Let them watch you draw lines and faces. If they do not want to touch, give them a craft stick to use.
• Tearing Paper- Give the baby pieces of paper to tear. Use different colors and textures of paper.
• Colored Water- Place baby in a highchair with some water on the tray. Place a drop of food coloring in the water and let t baby play.
• Scribbling- Securely tape a large piece of paper to the floor and give the baby a crayon. Allow them to draw within their area. You may have to demonstrate for them by drawing some lines.
• Play Dough- Place a flat piece of play dough in front of the baby and encourage them to poke holes in it. Do not give them pieces to hold or squeeze, because they may try to eat it. You can also make edible play dough with flavored gelatin.
• Crumpling Paper- Give baby a small piece of paper and hold another piece in your hand as baby watches.
• Handprint Art- Put a thin layer of paint on a plate and tape a piece of paper on a tray or table. Ask the baby to pat her hand in the paint and on the paper.
• Rainbow Dancing- Hold a prism so it catches the sun’s ray and creates rainbows on the wall. Show infants the rainbows and how they dance.
• Flour Pat- Put a thin layer of flour on a tray or in a tub and allow the baby to pat it with their hands.
• Foot Painting- Tape a large sheet of paper on the floor and place a glob of paint on it. Sit or lay the baby near the paint and allow them to explore.
• Finer Paint Collage- Create a collage by using a large sheet of paper and letting the infants paint on it.
• Gelatin Giggler- Put a piece of round cereal in a giggler before it gels. Let the infant explore and play with the giggler.
• Porridge Play- Allow for play with oatmeal on days when you read Goldilocks or Little Miss Muffet.
• Scrap Collage- Help babies place items from a scrap box on the sticky side of clear contact paper.

Learning Through Dramatic Play

• Kitchen Props- Provide a small basket of small pots and pans, spoons, plastic cups, food, etc… for infants to handle.
• Rock the Baby- Offer infants soft dolls to hold and play with. Take turns rocking a baby doll or feeding it a bottle. Provide mobile infants with a play stroller or wagon to push the babies in.
• Telephone Talk- Talk with infants on play telephones.
• Hat Play- Have several hats for babies to put on their heads. Let them see themselves in the mirror.
• Look in Pocketbooks- Provide purses with keys, combs, wallets, etc. for infants to rummage through.
• Gardening- Provide gardening items for use outside.
• Cleaning- Provide materials for cleaning the way mommies and daddies do.
• Building- Provide blocks and construction items for building fun.
• Camping- A tent, sleeping bags, flashlights and more can become a campsite full of fun.
• Little Shoes- Babies love shoes. Provide baby booties, first shoes and large shoes for babies to play with.
• Train of Car Seats- Use children’s care seats to create a train. Encourage babies to make train noises.
• Sounds Play- Play environmental sounds on a tape player and provide stuffed animal props to go with the sounds.
• Sock Puppets- Draw faces on baby socks and place them on baby’s hands.
• Box House- Make a house out of a large cardboard box. Include windows and doors.
• Dramatic Rattles- Use empty baby lotion, coke bottles, shampoo bottles, etc. to make rattles out of for babies to shake.

Learning Through Music and Movement

• Johnny Works with One Hammer

Johnny works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer (move one hand) Johnny works with one hammer, Then he works with two.
Johnny works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers (move two hands) Johnny works with two hammers, Then he works with three.
Johnny works with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers (move two hands and one foot) Johnny works with three hammers,
Then he works with four.
Johnny works with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers (move two hands and two feet) Johnny works with four hammers,
Then he works with five.
Johnny works with five hammers, five hammers, five hammers (move two hands, two feet, and head) Johnny works with five hammers, then he goes to sleep! (Pretend to sleep)

• Are You Sleeping- Sing this song when children are playing Night!Night!

Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping, Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing,
Ding, ding, dong! Ding, ding, dong! (Ring a bell or let the babies ring a bell)

• Commercial Noisemakers- Provide children with an abundance of musical instruments to make music with.
• Hokey, Pokey- Sing the song with babies and help them with the movements.
• If You’re Happy and You Know It- Sing this song with infants and help them with the actions.
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star- Sing this song to infants and show them how to twinkle their fingers.
• Musical Toys- Provide toys that play music so that the children can dance to the tunes.
• Wheels on the Bus- Sing the song and encourage children to respond to the actions.
• Greg and Steve Record (Youngheart Records)- This is a great record that allows for babies to interact with the songs.
• Ring Around the Rosie- Sing this song as you dance in a circle with babies.
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm- Sing this song with infants and encourage infants to make the animal sounds.
• Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes- Sing this song and show babies the movements.
• Where Is Baby?- Sing this song and insert the baby’s name.

Where is baby? Where is baby?
Here I am; Here I am;
How are you today sir? Very well I thank you.
Fly away; Fly away!

• Row, Row, Row Your Boat- Sing this song and row your boat.
• Bottle Rattles- Make rattles to use with music out of plastic baby bottles.
• Watch and Listen- Place a musical crib toy or mobile in an infant’s crib for quiet time.
• Dance with Baby- Play music and dance with baby.
• Listen to Wind Chimes- Hang wind chimes outside or near a fan and let baby listen to its music.
• Music with Diapering- Place a radio in the diapering area for baby to listen to.
• Routine Care Songs- Sing this song throughout the day during routine times. Sung to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”.

This is the way we change your diaper, go outside, etc….

• Pop!- Use a jack-in-the-box to play music and surprise baby.
• Quiet Music- Play soft, quiet music during rest or down time.

Learning From the World Around Them

Learning from Number Activities

• Look at Face Pictures- Make happy face pictures. Put one big happy face on a picture, on another put two, and so forth. Hang these where babies can see them and discuss what the baby sees.
• Sing Number Songs- To the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, you can sing a song using numbers.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Kick your little feet.
One, Two, Three, Four, Five, In your infant seat.

• Count and Move- Count with the baby as you move them up and down.
• Toy Count- Count the toys as you place them in front of the baby on a blanket.
• Bounces Count- Bounce baby in the standing position and count. When you get to five, quickly lift the baby in the air.
• Counting Food- Count little pieces of food as you sit with the baby when he/she eats.
• One Nose and Two Eyes- Sit the baby in your lap and talk about their body parts. Count the number of parts as you talk.
• How Much is in The Bottle- As you cuddle with a baby while he/she is drinking, talk about whether it is full or empty.
• Numbers in a Container- Put blocks/large beads in a container and pull them out as you count with baby.
• 1-2-3 Down you Go- When a baby wants down, count to three before helping them.
• Number Books- Have hard page number books available.
• Blocks Count- Count the number of blocks you can stack with the baby before it falls.
• How Many Babies?- Count the number of babies or children in a room.
• Nesting Toy Count- Help the baby count the number of nesting toys to complete the set.
• Counting Keys- Give babies a set a keys to count.

Learning From Nature Activities

• Bouncy Seat Barefoot- Place baby in a bouncy seat in the grass. Take their shoes off so they can feel the grass.
• Texture Walk- Take infants on a walk outside (dirt, grass, sand). Help the baby feel the textures.
• Outside Mobile- Make a mobile to hang over baby’s crib out of outdoor objects.
• Plant and Seed Books- Make books using plants and seeds. The objects can be secured with clear contact paper.
• Blanket Talk- Place the baby on a blanket outside and discuss the things they hear and see.
• Nuzzle Nature- Hold the baby up to a plant, tree, or leaves. Talk with the baby about what he/she is feeling.
• Feather Finders- As you find feathers outside, touch the baby and talk about what they feel.
• Ladybug Ballet- Place a ladybug on a baby’s hand and allow it to crawl up their arm. Talk about what the baby is seeing.
• Rainy Days- On a light drizzle day, feel and taste the raindrops that fall. Laugh with the baby about what he/she is feeling.
• Take a Walk- Take the baby on a stroller or wagon ride and discuss what the baby is seeing.
• Watch Things Blow in the Wind- On a breezy day, take the baby outside to watch things move in the wind.
• Watching Rain or Snow- On a rainy or snowy day, place the baby near a window and let them watch what is happening.
• Splashing in Water- Fill a baby pool with warm water. Place the baby in the water and let them play.
• Bird Watching- Put a bird feeder outside on a low window. Show the baby when a bird comes to eat and discuss what it is doing.
• Smell the Flowers- Show the baby flowers that have been cut or picked. Let the baby touch and smell the flowers.

Learning From Baby’s Senses

• Texture Wall- Create a texture wall using a panel from a large box. Glue a variety of cloths and other items (sandpaper, bark, corduroy, etc) to the panel.
• Special Scents- Use extracts to scent cloth items or paint when children are playing with them.
• Smelly Bottles- Poke several holes in the lids of an empty film canister. Place a cotton ball sprinkled with a spice, perfume, or extract in the canister. Encourage the baby to smell the different scents.
• Smelling Food- At feeding time, talk with the baby about what he/she is smelling.
• Bottle Cover- Cover baby’s bottle with a textured material such as a fuzzy sock or nubby washcloth. Allow them to hold their bottle during feeding time.
• Bubbles- Babies love to feel and see bubbles floating through the air.
• Tasting Treats- Provide a variety of foods for the baby to taste during snack time.
• Tick Tock Clock- Place a ticking clock near the baby and say the words “tick tock” to the rhythm.
• Textured Teething Toys- Have a variety of textured teething toys for the baby to chew. Place some in the refrigerator and tell the baby it is cold.
• Massaging Baby- Gently touch and massage the baby’s legs and arms to help calm them.

Learning From Shapes, Sizes, and Colors

• One Piece Puzzles- Create one-piece puzzles for infants. Cut a simple shape from a piece of cardboard and add color. Help the baby put the piece in its place.
• Glitter Bottles- Make glitter bottles out of soda bottles. Put water or corn syrup, objects, and different colors of glitter in the bottle and secure tightly.
• Colored Rooms- Using colored cellophane over a window or a colored light bulb in room, talk with the baby about the colors he/she sees.
• Big Ball, Little Ball- Find several balls of different sizes and colors. Discuss the difference in the balls with the baby.
• Finding Colors- Find objects of different colors. Place them out of sight from the baby. Pull one at a time out and describe its color.
• Shapes- Cut out large shapes from cardboard and cover them with different colors of fabric. Talk with the baby about the shape, size, and color.
• Bright Ideas- Hang colorful, high contrast cloths or baby blankets over the sides of the crib to provide visual pattern. Change the cloths regularly.

 

Infant Toys and Materials

Make sure toys are safe to mouth and have no small parts that can come off. To prevent choking or swallowing, make sure toys are less than one and one half inches (1 ½) in diameter. Toys should encourage infants to explore and manipulate. Only put out a few toys at a time and take toys away that babies are not interested in. As infants play with different toys and objects, talk with them about what they are doing. Keep toys on low, open shelves or in a basket. Try to have two or more of the same toys to avoid conflicts. Always clean toys that have been mouthed by a baby. The easiest way to do this is to make activity boxes and allow one baby at a time to play with the items in that box. Rotate the boxes on different days. At the end of each day, clean the items that belong in the box before you put them away.

 

Toys and Materials for Infants
Non-breakable mirrors	Rattles
Balls	Soft Fabrics
Blocks	Soft Books
Spoons	Plastic Cups
Plastic keys	Busy Boxes
Pop Up Toys	Wagon
Noisemakers	Music Boxes
Pillows	Nesting Toys
Big Beads	Beaded Necklaces
One-Piece Puzzles	Stacking Rings
Shaker/Glitter Bottles	Simple Hand Puppets
Boxes	Sorting Toys
Hats	Purses
Shoes	Hard Books
Hanging Toys	Laminate Books
Containers	Stuffed Animals
Aquariums	Pets
Baby Carriage	Baby Pool
Baby Swing	Balloons
Bells	Bird Feeder
Blankets	Bottles
Brush	Cars/Trucks
Cereal	Cellophane
Clock	Cotton Balls
Cradle Gym	Jumpstart Activity Gym
Crayons	Dolls
Feathers	Fingerpaint
Flashlight	Flowers
Food/Food Coloring	Jack-in-the-Box
Mobiles	Paper
Toy Piano	Pictures
Play Dough	Pots and Pans
Records/Tapes	Ribbons/Yarn
Socks	Spice/Extracts
Telephones	Musical Toys/Instruments
Teething Toys	Highchair
Play Gym	Water
Wind Chimes	Stroller
Tents/Pretend House

Sources

Albrecht, Kay; Miller, Linda G., The Comprehensive Infant Curriculum. Gryphon House, Inc., 2000.

Blose, Dee A.; Smith, Laura L., The Thrifty Nifty Stuff for Little Kids. Proed International Publishing, 1995.

Cryer, Debbie; Harms, Thelma; Ray, Adele Richardson, The Active Learning Series for Infants. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1996

Docents of Nursery Nature Walks. Trails, Tails, & Tidepools in Pails. Nursery Nature Walks, 1992.

Dodge, Diane T.; Cloker, Laura J., The Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care. Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001.

Grace, Cathy; Lindsey, Gail, Right From Birth: A Parenting Series. Mississippi Educational Television and The Early Childhood Institute, 2000.

Technical Assistance for the Coordinator

Objective: Improving Infancy Development within Family Child Care.

Set: Ask the provider the following questions:
How do infants learn new skills such as talking and walking?
Is it important to have a schedule for infants?
Other than routine care activities, how should you interact with infants?
How does and infant respond or communicate to you?

Materials: Information Packet on Infancy Development

Lesson:

• Read and review information on Infancy Development with your provider.
• Help the provider write a week’s schedule for one infant in their program using the activities in this lesson.
• Have the provider gather the materials they will need to conduct the activities. Suggest some easy storage solutions for their materials.
• If needed, answer questions the provider may have on infancy development.

Closure: Ask the provider the following questions:
How do infants learn new skills such as talking and walking?
Is it important to have a schedule for infants?
Other than routine care activities, how should you interact with infants?
How does an infant respond or communicate to you?

Adapted by Ricci Boyer, NHI Consultant. Reviewed by Angel Fason, NHI Project Director. Distributed by Louise E. Davis, Ph.D., Mississippi State University, Associate Professor, Child and Family Development. This project is conducted by Mississippi State University Extension Service in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Office for Children and Youth. Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.




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