Here's What To Do
Gather supplies for this game:
- a ball, toy car, or pull toy with a string
- a barrier for the toy to roll behind, like a cereal box or a roll of paper towels
While I'm watching you, very slowly roll the toy behind the barrier to the other side.
Try this two or three times, and see if I'll switch my glance to the correct side before the toy reappears.
If I'm able to anticipate where a slow-moving object will reappear, try rolling the toy faster behind the barrier. See if I am still able to switch my glance to the other side before the object appears.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Help me sit opposite you so I can see what you're doing. I can sit in a high chair or on the lap of another adult.
Engage:
- "Look! The toy car is moving! Can you watch the car?"
- "Where did the doggie go?"
Encourage:
- If I'm not able to anticipate where the toy will reappear, try using a clear barrier (like a food storage container or jug of water) or a toy that makes sounds when it moves.
- If I switch my gaze before the toy reappears, congratulate me. Like: "That's right! The ball went behind the box and then came out the other side!"
Reflect:
- Was I able to anticipate the rolling toy's movements?
Not quite ready?
While I'm watching, hide an object under a blanket and see if I will try to find it.
Ready for more?
See if I can figure out where something goes when it drops to the floor. Talk about the noise it made, and point in the direction where it fell.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to extend their ideas about object-permanence to objects that move, and will correctly predict where a moving object will go.