Activities

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Activity library

193 activities with English and Chinese instructions. Browse by catalog age or development area, and log the activity you tried.

These are catalog age groups, not personalized recommendations or milestone deadlines. Choose for your baby's current abilities, stay close, and stop if your baby is uncomfortable. Added reminders are separate from the source instructions.

25 of 193 activities

4–6 months · 11

Body Parts#006 · Thinking

Goal: Introduce the concept of body parts
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: During hygiene activities
How to do it: Show the baby different parts of her body and tell her: "This is your hand," "This is your foot," and so on. This is especially good when she is naked, during diaper changes, or in the bathtub. Take the opportunity to name body parts whenever you can.
Related milestone in the source: Explores body with mouth and hands.

Classify by Functionality#012 · Thinking

Goal: Classify objects by characteristics
Materials: Groups of objects (i.e., items of clothing, utensils)
Time or repetitions: Repeat with 3 groups of objects
How to do it: Put a variety of objects in front of the baby and teach him to classify them by functionality. For example, put a shirt, pants and shoes together and say, "These are clothes that we wear on our body!" Group a spoon, plate, and cup together and say, "These are things we use to help us eat."

Concept of Sequence#013 · Thinking

Goal: Teaching the concept of sequence
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Perform throughout the day
How to do it: Throughout the day, take the opportunity to show the baby how some activities precede others. For example, while washing his hands explain how you do this before eating; that you open the door before you can go outside, that you put on a diaper before pants, and other examples.
Related milestone in the source: Gets excited when realizes that it is playtime.

Naked Time - II#051 · Thinking

Goal: Reinforce the baby's understanding of its surrounding and itself
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 7 - 10 minutes
How to do it: Let him play naked. Encourage him to grab and explore his body parts and to take his hand and feet to his mouth.
Related milestone in the source: Able to put feet in mouth and suck toes.

Object Permanence#053 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Any toy or object
Time or repetitions: Repeat 3 - 5 times
How to do it: Say the name of a toy or object that the baby is looking at; repeat the name. Once she focuses on something else, name the original object again. When she turns to you and the object, give it to her.
Related milestone in the source: Object Permanence: is conscious that an object is partially hidden, is still there, and could reach it.

Object Permanence - II#054 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Shoelace and key
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Put a shoelace or string through a single key that is part of a set of keys, knotting each end so that the key will not fall off the lace. Holding the shoelace vertically, let the keys drop from the top to allow the baby to follow the trajectory with his eyes. He will see that they don't disappear when dropped.
Related milestone in the source: Object Permanence: is conscious that an object is partially hidden, is still there, and could reach it.

Object Permanence - III#055 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Toy
Time or repetitions: Repeat 3 - 5 times
How to do it: Get your baby engaged with a toy. Once he is playing, take the toy from him, lift it up so he can see it and drop it on the floor. Show him your empty hands and ask him where the toy went. Help him look around until he finds it. Over time, as he finds the toy faster, you can sit in a chair with the baby on your lap to increase the distance he must search to locate the toy.
Related milestone in the source: Object Permanence: is conscious that an object is partially hidden, is still there, and could reach it.

Seeing & Reaching for a Toy#076 · Thinking

Goal: Increase ability to combine actions
Materials: Toy or rattle
Time or repetitions: Repeat 3 - 5 times
How to do it: With the baby lying down or in a supported seated position, hold a toy or rattle in front of him, close enough that he can grab it. Demonstrate how to grab it from you, putting it into his hand. Eventually he will take the toy on his own.
Related milestone in the source: Eye-Body Coordination: increased capability (e.g., looks at an object and tries to reach it).

Squeezing Noisy Toys#084 · Thinking

Goal: Understand cause-effect relationship
Materials: Toys that make a sound when squeezed
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 5+ minutes
How to do it: Let the baby play with toys that make a sound when squeezed. Teach him how squeezing the toy makes a sound.

The Meaning of No#088 · Thinking

Goal: Teaching the concept of stopping an action
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Perform throughout the day
How to do it: Whenever you need to establish a limit, say, "No," while shaking your head and finger. Explain exactly what it is you do not want the baby to do.
Related milestone in the source: Knows "No": starting to understand the meaning of "no" by recognizing the tone of the voice.

Yes & No#092 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the baby's imitation skills
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 2 - 4 minutes
How to do it: While slowly saying "Yes, no, yes..." nod and shake your head to demonstrate what you are saying. Do this until the baby starts to imitate your movements.
Related milestone in the source: Imitation: purposely tries to mimic simple sounds and movements.

7–9 months · 14

Anticipating Events - III#096 · Thinking

Goal: Learning to use clues to anticipate future events
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Perform throughout the day
How to do it: Help your baby understand that some activities require others in order to happen. For example, selecting clothes has to happen before getting dressed; opening a container and pouring food into a bowl or onto a plate has to happen before eating. Explain what you are doing as you are doing it.
Related milestone in the source: While getting dressed, increasingly helps by moving and preparing his arms and legs as needed.

Classify by Size#103 · Thinking

Goal: Classify objects by characteristics
Materials: 3 blocks (one bigger than the other 2)
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 5+ minutes
How to do it: Get three blocks, one larger than the other two. Give the baby a small block and let him play with it for a little bit. Then give him the larger block and let him play with it as well. Give him the third block and say: "Look, we have 1, 2, 3 blocks." Once he starts losing interest, line them up in front of him, point to the bigger block and say: "This one is different, it is bigger."

Getting the Toy#128 · Thinking

Goal: Improve the baby's sense of space
Materials: Toy, large object
Time or repetitions: Repeat 3 - 5 times
How to do it: Show the baby that you are hiding a toy behind a large object. He may immediately reach for it. If not, help him get the toy by knocking down the object or moving around it to grab the toy.
Related milestone in the source: Reach Behind: seeks and reaches for an object that is behind self without needing to see it.

Getting to a Hidden Toy#129 · Thinking

Goal: Develop basic problem-solving skills
Materials: Toy, box, piece of fabric
Time or repetitions: Repeat 2 - 4 times
How to do it: With the baby watching, place a toy that she wants inside a box or other container and cover it with a piece of fabric. If she doesn't reach inside to get the toy, encourage her to do so. She will eventually uncover the container and pull the toy out.

Object Permanence - IV#148 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Toy and string
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Give the baby a toy tied to a string. Put a portion of the toy under a pillow or blanket and show him that when he pulls the string the toy appears. Gradually increase the portion of the toy covered by the blanket until it is totally hidden. Celebrate each time the toy appears.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Object Permanence - V#149 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Toy that makes noise
Time or repetitions: Repeat 3 - 5 times
How to do it: Create a barrier with pillows or boxes in front of the baby. Using a toy that makes sound, show the baby the toy and then move it behind the barrier, making sure that the toy continues to make noise. When the toy is hidden, say something like, "Uh oh! The car disappeared." Then bring the toy out from behind the barrier and say, "Here it is!" Hide the toy again and help the baby find it.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Object Permanence - VI#150 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Sponge or cotton ball
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Find a soft object, like an article of clothing, a sponge, or a cotton ball and let it fall to the floor so that the baby sees it drop. Make a game out of trying to find the item. Once she finds it, repeat the exercise until the baby looks to the floor without your encouragement to do so.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Object Permanence - VII#151 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Cardboard box or other non-transparent container, toy
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Using a cardboard box or other container that is not transparent, hide a toy that the baby has been playing with. Then tell the baby to find the toy. You may need to demonstrate where the toy is the first couple of times.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Object Permanence - VIII#152 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Dishtowel or other piece of fabric, toy
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Using a dishtowel or other piece of fabric, wrap a toy inside. Help the baby open the fabric to find the toy.
Related milestone in the source: Able to grab and manipulate two objects simultaneously, one in each hand.

On & Off, Open & Close#153 · Thinking

Goal: Understand cause-effect relationship
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 10+ minutes
How to do it: Take the baby around the house, showing her how flipping a switch turns on a light or starts a fan. You can also show her how the doorbell works and how to open and close doors or windows.
Related milestone in the source: Understanding Cause & Effect: anticipates events that consistently follow a "signal" (e.g., if baby hears the doorbell, will anticipate someone's arrival).

Peekaboo - III#157 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate the concept of object permanence
Materials: Towel or small piece of fabric
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5+ times
How to do it: After demonstrating how to play peekaboo with your baby, place his hands or a towel on his face and encourage him to uncover it while shouting "Peekaboo." Applaud and laugh each time he does it to demonstrate your enthusiasm.
Related milestone in the source: Object Permanence: is able to recover an object that has been hidden as she observes.

Push-Pull Toys#170 · Thinking

Goal: Understand using a tool in different situations to produce similar results
Materials: Strings, toys, stick push-pull toy
Time or repetitions: Repeat 5 - 8 times
How to do it: Tie a toy to a string and place it beyond the baby's reach. Demonstrate how to bring the toy closer by pulling the string. Once she masters this, you can change the type of string or the toy or use a push-pull toy on a stick and repeat the exercise. Do the exercise in different places, helping her to understand that the concept applies to any toy, string, or place.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Turning Things On & Off#188 · Thinking

Goal: Stimulate short term memory
Materials: None, just you
Time or repetitions: Repeat with 4+ objects
How to do it: Show the baby how to turn a radio off and on. Do it a few times, so that she associates cause and effect. Encourage her to do it. Repeat the exercise with other devices and lights in your house.
Related milestone in the source: Short-Term Memory: remembers a series of actions completed in the immediate past, primarily in cases in which the baby was directly involved in the activity.

Using Materials in Various Ways#189 · Thinking

Goal: Learn to use/handle an object in different ways
Materials: Various materials (i.e., paper, play dough, etc.)
Time or repetitions: Suggested time: 5 - 8 minutes
How to do it: Give the baby a piece of paper and show her how she can crumple, smooth, or tear it. You can also use play dough for this purpose, showing her how to make a ball or a long snake that she can turn into a circle. You can also put a few small objects inside a small plastic container and show her that by moving it, she can make the objects inside shift from side to side. Shake the container quickly to show her that she can have the objects make noise like a rattle.
Related milestone in the source: Able to hold several ideas in mind at the same time (e.g., can communicate with mom while playing).