What’s Missing?
Here's What To Do
Allow your child to take the lead with this game. You can show them how to play first to help explain what to do.
Your child can put out two toys. Then, while you close your eyes, they should hide one of the toys.
Encourage them to ask you questions to help you guess which toy is missing. They can also ask questions to help you guess where it might be.
Example questions:
- “Which toy is hiding?”
- “Which toy is left?”
- “Where is the toy/ where do you think it is?”
- “What do you sit on? It is under that.”
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Help your child to look around the room and brainstorm some hiding spots if needed.
Engage:
- “Let’s play a hiding game.”
- “You will show me two toys. Then, you’ll hide one and ask me questions like “which toy is missing?”
Encourage:
- Help your child to ask the questions by asking the question first, then having them repeat it. “Ask me, “Which toy is missing?”
- You can also lead the game first to show them how to play, then have them take the lead.
Reflect:
- “Where was your favorite hiding spot?”
Not quite ready?
Instead of playing the game, when your child points at something, or isn’t sure how to ask a question, ask the question and encourage them to repeat after you. It’s OK if they can’t repeat after you yet. “I see you pointing. You can ask, “what is that?””
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to ask more complex questions and do simple explorations to answer their question. For example, “What will happen if I push the car really fast?”
As your child masters this skill...
They will ask simple questions about the environment or materials.