Body Part Name Game
Here's What To Do
1
Sit down with me and a favorite stuffed animal, doll, or action figure.
2
Play a "Body Part Name Game" with me to help me learn words for parts of the body. Ask me to complete an action on a part of the doll. Examples:
- clap the doll's hands
- tickle the doll's feet
- tap the doll's nose
- brush the doll's hair
3
See if I can complete the same action on my body (like: clapping my own hands).
4
If I'm able to play this game easily, increase the challenge by talking about body parts like shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Have me give my doll or stuffed animal a big hug.
E
Engage:
- "Can you tickle dolly's tummy? Can you tickle your own tummy?"
- "Can you clap Teddy's hands? Can you clap your own hands?"
E
Encourage:
- Gently correct me if I make a mistake, like: "Oops! That's Piggy's mouth. Her nose is right here. Can you tap it?"
- Celebrate me when I correctly identify a body part, like: "That's right, you clapped your doll's hands! And then you clapped your own hands. Nice work!"
R
Reflect:
- What body part names do I seem to know? Which ones am I still learning?
Not quite ready?
Talk about my body parts while I'm getting dressed. Touch them as you talk about them, like: "Here are your legs! Let's put pants on your legs."
Ready for more?
Play this game using your own bodies instead of a doll, like: "Where are Mama's hands?"
As your child masters this skill...
They will know the names of a few body parts.