Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
10m
Language & Literacy
Naming Objects
Think of a word I can say. Point to that object and ask "What's that?"
If I'm learning a new word, ask "What's that?" and then answer your own question.
When you know I want to hold something, show me that object and a second object. Encourage me to say its name out loud by asking me which one I want.
Continue asking me "what's that" throughout the day.
10m
Science
Smell Party!
Gather things with strong scents for me to smell. Examples:
spices (nothing peppery or too spicy)
condiments like mustard or peanut butter (put on a small spoon)
Show me how you smell things. Hold one item up to your nose and make an exaggerated "sniffing" action.
Hold the same thing up to my nose and see if I react to the smell. Describe the smell for me.
Repeat with different smells until I show you that I’m done.
Activities for Toddlers
15m
Language & Literacy
Photos of Family and Friends
Gather 4-5 photos of family and friends that your child knows and has relationships with; avoid rare or special photos that you wouldn’t want damaged.
Show the child each photo and name the person or people as well as their relationship to the child, for example “This is Grandma Jackie” or “This is Cousin Mike”.
Repeat often. Add photos of other family members over time.
10m
Health & Wellness
“Stop” or Walk Away
Help your child learn about creating safe boundaries for themselves, and how to respond to unwanted touches, such as hugs, from their friends or adults.
Explain that it’s OK if they don’t want someone to touch them or give them a hug.
Talk together about simple things they can do, such as saying “stop” or “no thanks,” holding up their hand or walking away if they can’t or don’t want to speak.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
5m
Social-Emotional Learning
Learning to Play with You
I'm learning how to play with other people! One way to help me learn is to play simple and short games with me throughout the day.
Here are some games we could play whenever we have five minutes:
Play "hide-and-seek" with a toy. While I'm watching, hide a toy. Encourage me to find it.
Take turns filling a box or bowl with toys, one at a time. When we're done, encourage me to dump it out.
I'll likely lose interest after a few minutes, which is normal for my age. See if you can fit another short game into our daily routine later today.
Varies
Approaches to Learning
Getting To Yes
Give me choices and opportunities to say "no" when it's appropriate. Limit choices to 2-3 items so I'm not overwhelmed.
Ignore my "no's" when I should not have a choice. Tell me cheerfully in a manner-of-fact way what I need to do and help me do it.
Try to limit the number of "no's" you say to me throughout the day. The more "no's" I hear, the more "no's" I'm likely to say.
Childproof our space so you don't have to say "no" as I explore
Tell me what I can do instead of what I can't do
Try not to ask me if I want to do something unless I really do have a choice. When you say "Do you want to ____" or add "Okay?" after every request, this gives me a chance to say no.
Activities for Toddlers
5m
Language & Literacy
Saying More and More Words
Throughout the day, name lots of objects, actions, foods, and people. Give me a chance to imitate you.
Talk out loud during everyday routines (like you're talking to yourself). This helps me match words with the activities and objects I see everyday.
When I start to say single words, expand what I'm saying into a short phrase.
Encourage me to imitate or name pictures when we're looking at a book together.
5m
Science
Recycling Helper
When it's time to clean up trash and recycling, ask your child for help.
Show your child the item, and ask whether it's trash or recycling. Talk about what materials can be recycled in your community, and what happens when you recycle something.
If the item isn't sharp or breakable, ask your child to place the item in the trash or recycling bin. Remind them not to touch the other things in the bin.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
5m
Language & Literacy
Looking for Attention
Know that around 6 months old, I may start experimenting with other ways (besides crying) to get your attention. I might yell, smile, move my body, or make other noises.
If you can, respond to my requests for attention right away. If you can't help me immediately, call out to me to let me know that you'll be there soon.
Try to interpret my thoughts and feelings, and put them into words. This helps me know I've succeeded in getting your attention.
Sometimes, I'll look toward you or call for you while I'm playing. A smile, hug, or reassuring words will help me play independently without crying or yelling for attention.
5m
Language & Literacy
Let’s Get Dressed
Put out some of your child’s clothing on their bed, a table, or flat surface.
Pick up each clothing item and say its name as your child gets dressed.
Describe the colors and textures of the clothing and name the body part that the clothing goes on.
Encourage your child to repeat the words you're saying.
Activities for Toddlers
10m
Physical
Going Up Stairs
Help me learn how to go up steps (I'll learn how to go down steps later).
Place a favorite toy on the second or third step to encourage me.
When I'm first learning, I'll crawl up the steps on my hands and knees.
If I'm able to crawl up steps, help me learn to go up a step while standing on my feet.
Stand behind me and hold one or both hands. Try to hold my hands at my shoulder height (without stretching my arms above my head).
If I can go up one step on my feet, help me go up a few steps in a row.
If possible, use stairs that have a railing I can reach. I can also touch a wall for balance.
Stand behind me and hold my hand that's not on the railing.
10m
Health & Wellness
Musical Tooth Brushing
Pick a tooth brushing song. It can be any song 1-2 minutes in length, or search "tooth brushing song" on the internet.
Play the song a few times and encourage your child to learn the song.
Play or sing your tooth brushing song while brushing your child's teeth. For older kids, you can pause for them to spit toothpaste in the sink.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
10m
Creativity
Make Your Own Sound Shaker
Halfway fill 3-4 small clear plastic bottles with different smaller objects like rice, corn kernels, dry beans, dry seeds, nuts, cereal, dry pasta, etc.
Make sure the top of the bottle is tightly secured by wrapping a few layers of durable tape around it, or glue the cap closed with non-toxic glue.
Hand the bottles to your baby, then model shaking one bottle at a time.
When your baby grabs a bottle and shakes it, mimic their movement with another bottle.
5m
Health & Wellness
Parts of My Body
Use diaper or bath time to teach your child the parts of their body. Make it a game!
Point to one of your child's body parts and say its name out loud. Point to the same part on your body and repeat its name.
Try naming parts of the upper body one day and the lower body the next. Mix it up!
For older babies, ask them to find body parts like their nose and mouth.
Activities for Toddlers
5m
Creativity
Mirror Shapes
Use a handheld mirror or one you can hold your baby in front of.
Add shapes to the mirror by drawing on it with a dry-erase marker, or draw shapes on sticky notes and put them on the mirror.
Hold your baby so they can look into the mirror.
Talk to them about what they're seeing.
15m
Language & Literacy
Book Connections
While you’re reading books with your child, help them to make connections between the illustrations and their own experiences.
For example, if the character in the story likes to swim, ask your child if they like to swim.
Look for opportunities throughout the book for your child to see different kinds of connections – like where the character lives, or activities they like to do, or places they like to visit.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
5m
Language & Literacy
Did I Understand You?
Throughout the day, help me practice understanding verbal requests without any hints from you. I'm learning how to follow a simple request like "Drink your water" without you pointing to my cup or pretending to drink.
Try keeping your requests simple, clear and specific.
Try to give only one direction or request at a time.
Give me time to respond after you make a request. Pause for a few seconds, and see if I'll follow the request. If I seem confused, repeat your request with some gesture hints.
20m
Creativity
Sensory Bottles
Fill 3-4 small plastic bottles with water. Add a few drops of food coloring, dish soap, and glitter to each bottle.
Make sure the tops of the bottles are tightly secured by wrapping a few layers of durable tape around the caps (or secure with non-toxic glue).
Shake and roll the bottles in front of your baby.
Allow your child to touch, shake, and explore the bottles. Your child will probably want to put the bottle in their mouth, so be mindful of the cap.
Activities for Toddlers
5m
Creativity
Contrast Pictures Tummy Time
Create contrasting pairs of simple shapes on white paper with a black marker (for example: a heart, circle, square, etc.). First, draw the shape's outline only. Right next to it, draw the same shape but color it in.
Place your baby on the floor on their tummy.
Place the pictures on the floor where your child can see them (they can be propped upright to challenge older babies).
Over time, you can create more contrasting pictures for your baby. They may be interested in different patterns, or looking at simple faces.
15m
Approaches to Learning
Obstacle Course
Set up a simple obstacle course for your child to complete.
For example, they can go through a large open box, jump into and out of a hula hoop, hop over a jump rope, crawl under a table etc.
They can do the course more than once and try to complete it even faster too!
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
15m
Creativity
Experimenting with Color
Drop a few drops of food coloring into a clear plastic bottle of water. Tighten the top.
(Optional: instead of food coloring and water, we could do a similar color mixing activity with watercolor or tempera paint on paper)
Give me the bottle and let me shake it to spread the color.
Add a second color into the bottle, and let me explore what happens when they mix together.
Repeat, rinsing out the bottle and starting with a new color, or adding a third color to the bottle.
10m
Approaches to Learning
Learning the Meaning of "No!"
Avoid saying "no" too often, or "no" will lose its meaning.
Try to save your "no's" for times when my actions can hurt me, others, or property
Childproof our home so you don't always have to say "no" when I explore
Follow these four steps every time you say "no":
Say "no" immediately after my "no" behavior with a firm voice and facial expression.
Physically help me to stop my "no" behavior. For example, take my hand away from a hot stove or pick me up if I pull the dog's tail.
Activities for Toddlers
10m
Physical
Playing with Fingers and Toes
Help me learn that my hands and feet belong to me and that I can control their movements!
Play games like "This Little Piggy" or another favorite finger game from your childhood with my fingers and toes while we're getting dressed. Touch or kiss my fingers and toes while we play.
After my bath, massage my hands, fingers, feet and toes with baby lotion. Put a tiny bit of lotion on my hands and help me rub my own feet.
Try to provide some time each day for me to play in a warm room wearing only my diaper. This will encourage me to move and touch my arms and legs.
Varies
Language & Literacy
Vocabulary Questions
Encourage your child to ask questions about new words they hear, or new things they see.
Answer their questions in a child-friendly way based on the context (e.g. by pointing to a book’s illustrations). Or, find out the answer together!
Watch your child become more comfortable asking questions as they see you and other family members asking questions and receiving answers in a supportive and welcoming way.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
15m
Approaches to Learning
Where Are My Things?
Play a simple game! Ask me to bring you something from another room. Choose an item that:
You're sure I understand the name for
That's kept in a consistent place in the other room
If I bring you the wrong thing, or forget your request, thank me and name the object I did bring you. Then, repeat your original request.
Give me as many hints as I need, and go to the room with me to find the object if I'm really stumped. Celebrate when I do find the object!
Repeat with different objects and rooms.
10m
Social-Emotional Learning
Hugs and Kisses
Help me learn to express affection to the people I care about.
One way I learn about expressing affection is for me to receive affection from others.
Give and accept my hugs and kisses unconditionally, even if I've misbehaved or am messy.
Give me affection in different ways. You can give me hugs and kisses, cuddle me, look at me lovingly, say positive loving words, and hug me when I'm hurt.
Another way for me to learn how to give affection is to see other people expressing affection.
It's good for me to see you kiss, hug, high five, or handshake other people.
You can also model kissing and hugging my stuffed animals and dolls.
I'm also learning that I don't need to hug and kiss everyone I meet. Help me be social by smiling and waving, unless I'm with a very special person who can get a hug or a kiss.
Activities for Toddlers
10m
Health & Wellness
Helping You Dress Me
Dress or undress me slowly when you're not in a hurry. Give me opportunities for me to "help." For example, hold out the armhole of my shirt and wait until I stick my arm out.
Help me learn the names of body parts and clothes by talking about what you're doing.
Repeat daily if possible. Encourage me to participate a little more each time, like asking me to pull my shirt down or sticking my arms into sleeves.
Varies
Language & Literacy
Play and Talk
While you’re playing with your child, engage them in related conversations to help them develop their communication skills.
Follow their lead and ask questions that encourage them to use familiar words to communicate.
Include new vocabulary words in your responses and follow-up questions. Your child will become familiar with the words before they begin to use them.
Use these activities to learn with your child every day!
Activities for Infants
10m
Health & Wellness
Using a Cup By Myself
After I'm able to drink from a cup you hold for me, let me practice drinking from a cup by myself.
Over time, try to decrease the amount you help me:
First, let me grab the cup but help bring it to my mouth and tip it for me.
Next, let me grab the cup and bring it to my mouth, but tip it for me.
Try small, short plastic cups that I can hold easily (with or without handles). Fill the cup halfway or less so there's less to spill.
If you'd like to use a lid, avoid cups with spout-shaped lids since they don't let me practice the right lip and tongue movements. Look for ones with a slit in the lid or a 360° trainer cup.
5m
Language & Literacy
Cooing
During daily activities, play a game using vowel sounds.
Say "ah," "eee," "uh," or "oh" using an exaggerated facial expression.
Pause for a few seconds and see if I will copy you or make a different sound.
When you hear me "coo" throughout the day, pretend I'm using real words and respond back to me with words or by copying my sounds.
Let me have quiet time to practice making new sounds. A lot of babies practice "cooing" while falling asleep or when waking up.
Activities for Toddlers
15m
Creativity
Trying to Sing Along with Music
While we're getting dressed, commuting to school, or during bathtime, sing the same simple and repetitive songs to me. I might try to join in! Sing a favorite song from your childhood, or try one of these:
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
"The Wheels on the Bus"
Encourage me to sing by inviting me to sing into a "microphone." You could use a toy microphone, or hold an empty paper towel tube up to my mouth (it will make my singing louder).
Pause while singing a familiar song and let me try to fill in the missing words or sounds.
Compliment my singing efforts, no matter how off key they are!
10m
Health & Wellness
Feeding Myself with a Spoon
Give me food that is easy to scoop and sticks to the spoon (like: yogurt, mashed potatoes, mashed banana, mashed avocado).
Put the food in a bowl with a high edge, ideally one that sticks to the table or has a non-skid bottom. Give me a short handled, child sized spoon to use.
Let me practice eating with a spoon at the beginning of a meal when I am hungry and motivated. Continue to offer finger foods alongside spoonable foods.
Help guide me through the "scooping to mouth" process if I'm frustrated or need help.
