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: Narrate Your Day
Communication Milestone: Listens to your voice
Activity: From diaper changes to meal times, every moment presents an opportunity for language development. Narrate what you're doing as you go about your day. Describe the sights, sounds, and sensations your baby experiences, turning mundane tasks into language-rich experiences. For example, during bath time, you could say, "Now we're splashing in the water! Can you feel the warm bubbles on your tummy?"
3 to 6 Months: Row, Row Your Boat
Communication Milestone: Learning about conversations
Activity: Sit in a comfy place with your knees bent, and place your baby on your legs. Hold their hands and slowly lift your legs up and down, as you sing Row, Row, Your Boat. Pause between lines of the song and watch your baby for cues of them wanting you to continue the game! Singing is great for building language, and reading your baby’s cues is a vital part of early communication.
6 to 9 Months: Personalized Picture Book
Communication Milestone: Recognizes name
Activity: Craft a special picture book using family photos, including images of relatives, pets, and your little one. As you flip through the pages, say the names of each person and pet, making sure to highlight your baby's name. This simple activity not only introduces your baby to their loved ones but also helps them learn names and recognize familiar faces.
9 to 12 Months: Book Club
Communication Milestone: May communicate with gestures or pointing
Activity: Create a cozy reading ritual by gathering your baby's favorite books into a special basket. Set aside time each day to snuggle up and explore the colorful pages together. As you read, pause frequently to give your little one a chance to respond verbally or with gestures to the pictures in the book. Encourage interaction by pointing to familiar pictures or characters, inviting your baby to make connections between words and objects in a playful and engaging way.
12 to 15 Months: Puppet Show
Communication Milestone: May use 5 - 10 words
Activity: Engage your 12-month-old in a delightful puppet show! Gather colorful puppets and bring them to life with silly voices and exaggerated expressions. Encourage your little one to interact with the puppets by making sounds, pointing, or even attempting to mimic the puppet's actions. Use simple phrases and questions to spark conversation, such as "Where's the doggy?" or "Can you say hello to the puppet?"
15 to 18 Months: Talking expansion
Communication Milestone: has a growing vocabulary
Activity: Play the talk and expand game! For example, if your child says "dog," you can respond with "Yes, that's a big brown dog!" or "Look, the dog is running fast!" Encourage your little one to join in by repeating the expanded phrases or attempting to say new words themselves. This interactive activity not only enriches your child's vocabulary but also promotes language development and communication skills.
18 to 24 Months: I Spy
Communication Milestone: Names common objects
Activity: Turn everyday outings into interactive scavenger hunts by playing a game of "I Spy" with your toddler. Point out common objects you see along the way—like trees, cars, or birds—and ask your little one to name them. It's a fun way to reinforce vocabulary while exploring the world around you.
These simple activities will help support your baby or toddler as they relate to the world around them through growing communication skills. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so let your child's curiosity and interests guide these playful learning experiences. Enjoy these precious moments of discovery and connection, celebrating each small step and giggle along the way.
