Activities

Sit on the floor with the infant facing you. Give the infant a small toy to hold in one hand. Once he/ she has a good grasp of the toy, give the infant a second toy to hold in the other hand.

Use the poem “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” to reinforce counting to 10. The children can recite the poem with you.
One, two, buckle my shoe.

(Pretend to buckle shoe.)
Three, four, shut the door.

One, two, buckle my shoe

Three, four, shut the door

Five, six, pick up sticks

Seven, eight, lay them straight

Nine, ten, a big fat hen
(hold up fingers to represent each number)

Read the book One, Two, Three...Crawl! by Carol Thompson to older infants. After you read, remind the infants where it is safe to crawl and where it is not safe to crawl. You can get down on the floor and crawl with them.

Sing the song “One-Two-Three” to the tune of “This Old Man.” Have the children hold up their fingers as they count while singing.
One, two, three,

Count with me,

It's as easy as can be.

Teach children the following poem:
In this whole, wide world

(Make a big circle with your arms.)
I can clearly see

(Fingers around eyes, looking through.

Teach the children the following poem.
In this whole, wide world

(Make a big circle with your arms.)
I can clearly see

(Fingers around eyes, looking through.

Add cornstarch to water to make this unique sensory material that has properties of both a liquid and a solid. Start with a cup or so of water in a bowl and add the cornstarch a bit at a time.

Make Ooblek with the children by having them mix one small box of cornstarch and about 11/2 cups of water. Have the children pour the water into a small bowl. Show them the cornstarch and have them touch it to see how it feels: smooth and cold.

Place the infant on his/her back on a blanket. Sit with the infant and very gently stretch his/her arms and legs. As you do this, take a deep breath, smile and say, “Ooh, that feels good,” or “Ah...let's stretch your legs.

Oonguy (children repeat)

Moonguy (children repeat)

Chicka, chicka, choonguy (children repeat)

Alligator, alligator (children repeat)

Alligator Oonguy (children repeat)

O-o-o-o

Have the children repeat this chant after you:
Oonguy (Oonguy), Moonguy (Moonguy)

Chicka, Chicka Choonguy (Chicka, Chicka Choonguy).

(Snap your fingers as you repeat the chant)

Miss Sue, Miss Sue,

Miss Sue from Alabama, 

Sitting in her rocker

Eating Betty CRocker

Watching the clock go

Tick, tock, tick, tock

Banana rock,

Oosha mama, o

Provide several clean plastic containers with lids that are hinged so they open and close easily. Containers that wipes come in work well for this purpose. Show the children how to open and close the lid. Encourage them to repeat the action.

Read Open the Barn Door by Christopher Santoro. This is a board book with sturdy flaps. Encourage the children to turn the pages and lift the flaps. The hidden pictures keep it interesting.

Open, shut them,
open, shut them
(open and close fingers)
Open, shut them,
open, shut them
(open and close fingers)
Give a litte clap
(clap hands together)
Put them in your lap

Give the children the game “Operation” to play in the math center. Teach the children how careful you have to be not to touch the edges or the buzzer will sound.

Gather several textured items such as a soft block, a wooden block, a sensory ball, smooth paper and a soft blanket. Model descriptive language, such as “This is a squishy block. It's soft.

Give the children order pads in the dramatic play area. Have the children sit at the table and order food. Encourage the children to write down the orders.

Create a book with photos of the children in the classroom. When discussing who is present that day ask, “Who is not here today? That's right. Jason is not at school today.” Show the children Jason's picture. Say, “He's at home.