Here's What To Do
While I'm watching, hide a small toy or piece of food in your fist. Move your fist under a cloth, and leave the item under the cloth. Try to hide the item in a way that I can't see or hear you leaving it under the cloth.
Place your empty fist next to the cloth. Ask, "Can you find it?"
I'll probably look in your hand first. When I realize the object isn't there anymore, I should look under the cloth. If not, help me find the object. Cheer when I find it!
Repeat. Try hiding different objects, hiding objects in something other than your hand (like a small box or empty toilet paper tube), and covering objects with something besides a cloth (a large box, a blanket, in the sand, in a pocket, etc.).
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Make sure I'm making eye contact and looking at the object you're going to hide.
Engage:
- "Do you see the cracker? I'm going to put it in my hand right here. Watch my hand."
- "Where is it? Can you find the cracker?"
Encourage:
- Give me plenty of searching time. Open your fist when I look toward it or touch it, and give me time to explore the cloth.
- Give me hints if needed. Lift up the cloth slightly to let me take a peek, or say, "Look under your napkin" or "Where did I hide my hand?"
Reflect:
- After I realized the object wasn't in your hand, did I figure out the mystery right away? Or did I need some help?
Not quite ready?
Hide an object under a cover and see if I will lift the cover to find the object.
Ready for more?
Play the game with two cloths and alternate which cloth you hide the toy under. As I get more practice with this game, I should always look under the correct cloth first.
As your child masters this skill...
They will keep trying to solve the mystery of where the object went, until they succeed.
Can You Find It? by Indira & Jaylen
Check out Acelero Learning families trying this PEER activity at home!