Even the littlest babies enjoy playing simple games that offer fun social interactions and teach them early cognitive skills along the way.
Peek-A-Boo – This is a game generally played with babies where one player hides his face, then pops back into view and says Peek-a-Boo !! The baby usually laughs or squeals with delight. Researchers who study infant cognitive development contend that young infants do not have a sense of “object permanence,” in other words if they don’t see it they don’t know it’s still there. A version of this game can also be played with a small toy. Let the child see you hide the toy under a blanket or behind a pillow. Babies under 8 months old will usually not investigate once the object is out of sight, as baby matures (8 to 12 months) he will look for the object and take great delight in finding it.
This Little Piggy – Who can resist playing This Little Piggy when one sees a cute set of baby toes. This game not only promotes baby’s social interaction, it also makes baby more aware of his own extremities.
Itsy Bitsy Spider – “Finger plays” of this nature attracts baby’s attention and invites her to imitate what the adult is doing. The simple words become easily recognizable and gives baby a clue to what will happen next.
Patty Cake – This is a great interactive type of playing. The adult will usually guide baby’s hands to clap, roll, & pat. Baby will enjoy the physical movements as well as the social interaction. It promotes language development as well.
Where is Thumbkin? – This game is a combination of finger play & peek-a-boo. Baby will be fascinated watching your fingers perform like puppets. The repetitive words will soon become an easily recognized pattern of speech for baby.
AsheBridge Children’s Academy offers quality preschool education for our communities in Apex, Cary, Fuquay, Holly Springs, Angier, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn about all the fun things that set us apart from the other daycare and childcare centers.