Need new ideas to play with your baby this week? We got you!
We've crafted a series of playful activities tailored for children from birth to 24 months. Are you ready to build your baby or toddler’s language and communication skills - from your baby tuning into your voice for the first time to your toddlers first words? This week’s baby and toddler play activities are perfect for you! At Little Bloomer, we love supporting you as you help your little one grow and learn.
0 to 3 Months: Walk and Talk
Communication Milestone: listens to your voice
Activity: Take your baby for a stroll around the neighborhood and turn it into a language-learning adventure. Point out interesting sights along the way – a chirping bird, a fluttering butterfly, or the rustling leaves. Describe the colors, shapes, and movements you see, helping your baby make connections between words and the world around them. You might say, "Look at the red car driving by! Can you hear the birds singing in the tree?"
3 to 6 Months: Back and Forth
Communication Milestone: listens when spoken to and might respond with babbles
Activity: Ready for some back and forth chats with your baby? Begin by choosing a cozy and quiet space where you can comfortably sit facing each other. Initiate the conversation by making eye contact with your baby and smiling warmly. Use simple, soothing tones to speak to your baby, narrating your actions and observations. For example, you might say, "I see you looking at the colorful mobile. Do you like the bright colors?" Pause and wait for your baby to respond, whether it's through cooing, babbling, or making facial expressions. Respond to their cues with enthusiasm and encouragement, mirroring their sounds and expressions.
6 to 9 Months: Name Game
Communication Milestone: recognizes name
Activity: Help your baby learn their name by inserting it into songs or rhymes. For example, try singing “You Are My Sunshine,” but use your baby’s name instead of saying “sunshine.” Point to your baby or give them a hug every time you say their name in the song. Repeating their name as you sing will help them make the connection that this special word stands for them!
Here's a quick example to get you started:
“You are my [Baby’s Name], my only [Baby’s Name].
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my [Baby’s Name] away.”
This simple and joyful activity not only reinforces your baby’s name but also strengthens your bond through shared moments of love and music.
9 to 12 Months: Make a Babble Book
Communication Milestone: uses made up words with a consistent meaning
Activity: As your baby is beginning to use the same sounds to mean things - like “yumyum” for food - try making a "Babble Book" to highlight all their new words. Each page can have a picture of the item or action your baby has a word for, with the made-up word and its English equivalent. It's a delightful way to document their early language development and encourage more word creation. Don’t want to make your own book? No problem - grab the “Baby Faces” book from your Little Thinker box and practice saying the phrases like “boohoo” and “uh-oh” together!
12 to 15 Months: Sign Language Simplified
Communication Milestone: has a growing vocabulary
Activity: Consider introducing basic sign language to your baby as a way to enhance communication. Simple signs like "more," "eat," and "all done" can help bridge the gap between what your baby wants to express and what they're capable of saying verbally. For best success using signs, be consistent about when you use them (for example, sign eat at every meal time) and always use the spoken word along with the sign! If your baby attempts any signs, repeat the word and cheer them on!
15 to 18 Months: Action Packed Playtime
Communication Milestone: follows one step directions, has a growing vocabulary
Activity: Active play is not only a fantastic way for toddlers to burn off energy, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance their vocabulary and understanding of language. Turn on some music and start dancing - and label the actions you are doing as you dance! Encourage your toddler to “jump” or “spin” or “clap!” Then, ask them to tell YOU what to do - giving them a chance to practice new vocabulary while building physical development!
18 to 24 Months: Taste Tests
Communication Milestone: imitates new words
Activity: Transform snack time into a taste-testing extravaganza by offering a selection of foods with different flavors and textures. Encourage your toddler to describe each taste using words like "sweet," "salty," "crunchy," or "chewy." You can also incorporate themed taste tests based on colors or shapes, such as "red fruits" or "round snacks."
