Birth-6 Months
FromActivities for Responsive Caregiving,
Jean Barbre
What to have
– Small, clear plastic containers with lids
– Tray
– Labels
– Magnifying glass
– An assortment of items to explore (such as small rocks, seashells, beans, buttons, feathers, and corks)
Suggested Books
– Black and White Rabbit’s ABC by Alan Baker
– First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
– Richard Scarry’s Best First Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
What to do
Introduce one item at a time to the children. Place each one on a tray to provide a neutral background, and let the children examine them. Describe what they are seeing and feeling. Sort items, place each group in a clear plastic container, and secure the lid tightly. Place a label on each
container identifying its contents. Let the children pick up the containers, shake them, and look at the items by rotating the containers. Talk to them about what they’re seeing and hearing. Read the suggested books and introduce the vocabulary words to the children.
Why
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Social-Emotional Development
– Sense of self
– Personal identity
– Relationships with adults
– Relationships with peers
– Sharing
Physical Development
– Perception
– Fine-motor skills
Cognitive Development
- Progression of play
– Cause and effect
– Memory
– Spatial awareness
– Number awareness
Language Development
- Expressive language
– Receptive language
– Connecting words with real-world knowledge
– Concept words
– Engaging in print
For more activities check out
Activities for Responsive Caregiving: Infants, Toddlers, and Twos
By Jean Barbre Copyright 2013 Birth-6 Months