diaryofado
I have recently started working in the infant room of a daycare center. Most of the infants are under 9 months, but we have an 8 month old a 12 months old and a 15 month old who tend to run over the little ones. The older 2 are especially rembunctious and fussy. Being the only teacher in the room that actually has children, I recognize boredom when I see it, where the other girls just think the boys are uncommonly fussy. I need some activities for them that we can do quietly while the other babies are sleeping, as well as some fun noisy activities that will get them up and active. Any suggestions?
Answer
Infants and young toddlers are not my specialty so I'm going to begin by saying visit your local library. Most usually have a parent/teacher section and there are many books available with activity ideas for this age.
These are from the book Beginning With Babies
Bubbles: Bubbles are slow moving, and babies can follow them with their eyes. This is a great outdoor activity on a breezy day. You can put a towel down on the floor indoors as well.
Peek-A-Boo Mirror: Cut a 1 ft square piece of heavy cardboard. Measure the length and width of the mirror. Subtract ½ inch from each measurement. Cut a rectangle the size of this measurement from the center of the cardboard. âFrameâ the mirror by securely taping it to the back of the cardboard so the mirrored side shoes though the frame. Cover the back of the mirror and cardboard with contact paper to make sure the mirror stays put. Decorate the frame with stickers or markers, if you choose. Then cut a 1 ft square form the fabric. Using strapping tape, create a flap by attaching the fabric square to the top of the front of the frame, covering the mirror. Now, securely attach the mirror to the wall or divider at the babyâs eye level. Babies enjoy watching their own faces (and yours) appear and disappear. This activity encourages babies to focus their eyes and helps them begin to understand that something can exist even if they cannot see it. Now any type of "Peek a boo" activity will be fun. I have put pictures on construction paper, laminated and added flaps to make peek a book pages. They are always a hit.
Acceleration: Prop sturdy cardboard on pillows or books to make a ramp to floor. Vary this activity by using an empty paper-towel tube. Let the wheeled objects roll through the tube onto the floor. Change the level of the ramp to control how fast the object rolls down. This activity helps babies develop their visual tracing and eye-hand coordination. It gives babies firsthand experience with the properties of gravity.
Texture Book: Collect 8 fabric pieces, each with a different texture (corduroy, satin, burlap, flannel, terry cloth, wool, polished cotton, silk, lace, etc). Cut each piece into a 6 or 8 inch square. Stack the fabric squares and sew them together on one edge so they look like a book. This activity gives babies a lot of different things they can touch, or have touch them, which helps babies become aware of a variety of textures and learn to distinguish between them.
Float and Sink: Place a pan of room-temp water on the floor protected with towels. Place an object that will float in the pan. Push the object under the water and let go so it will pop back above the water. Have the baby try. Talk about what she is seeing and doing. Repeat with objects that sink. Water is very interesting to babies because of the way it feels and moves.
Sticky Feet: Cut a 1 food square piece of Con-Tact paper and tape it, stick side up, to a clean floor or a piece of carpet. Masking tape or strapping tape does a good job of holding the contact paper in place. Encourage the children to stand and walk on the sticky surface with out socks. Allow the baby to explore the area on his own. Baby may want to experiment by touching the sticky surface or placing a toy on the surface. If baby is not interested in the sticky surface, leave it in place for awhile and observe how he avoids stepping on it. This increases babiesâ awareness of touch sensations. It also helps them to learn what sticky feels like and to distinguish that feeling from others.
Hide and Peek Box: While baby is watching, say, âbye-bye, rabbitâ then place the toy inside the box and replace the lid. Say, âWhere is rabbit?â or ask, âCan you take the rabbit out of the box?â Repeat as many times as the baby seems attentive. To renew interest add a second box. Hide a toy in only one box, adding the element of mystery: âWhich box is the toy in. This activity supports the development of the babiesâ listening skills. They are developing the ability to hold a mental image of the toy and to understand that the toy, even though out of sight, has not gone away. This is called object permanence.
Noisy Sock Ball: Cut cellophane into smaller squares or strips and stuff the toe of a colorful, patterned sock with crumpled pieces until you have a ball shape. Leaving about 1 ½ -2 inches above the ball, cut off the remaining portion of the sock. Securely sew the ball closed using the needle and thread. Babies enjoy dropping and throwing objects. This activity helps babies develop eye-hand coordination and encourage their exploration of the concept of cause and effect. The crinkling sounds adds interest to the ball and the baby will extend her play with it.
Jiggle Jug: Clean a milk or juice jug with handle. While baby is watching, drop 6-8 old fashioned wooden clothespins into and shake the jug. Shake the clothespins out and drop them into the jug again. A very young baby will enjoy the jug as a giant rattle. An older baby may attempt to empty the clothespins out and put them back in. The baby will enjoy shaking or kicking the jug. Add some background music and encourage the baby to shake the jug in time to the rhythm. This activity help the baby learn about cause and effect and develop eye-hand coordination.
Other ideas:
Make a magnet board.
Use contact paper sticky side out on the wall and let them stick various textured items on it as well as take them off.
"doll" clothespins on a rim of a can. Put on, take off, and drop into a can. Make it more difficult by using the lid and putting a hole a little bigger than the clothespin so they have to push it into the can.
Have fun!
Infants and young toddlers are not my specialty so I'm going to begin by saying visit your local library. Most usually have a parent/teacher section and there are many books available with activity ideas for this age.
These are from the book Beginning With Babies
Bubbles: Bubbles are slow moving, and babies can follow them with their eyes. This is a great outdoor activity on a breezy day. You can put a towel down on the floor indoors as well.
Peek-A-Boo Mirror: Cut a 1 ft square piece of heavy cardboard. Measure the length and width of the mirror. Subtract ½ inch from each measurement. Cut a rectangle the size of this measurement from the center of the cardboard. âFrameâ the mirror by securely taping it to the back of the cardboard so the mirrored side shoes though the frame. Cover the back of the mirror and cardboard with contact paper to make sure the mirror stays put. Decorate the frame with stickers or markers, if you choose. Then cut a 1 ft square form the fabric. Using strapping tape, create a flap by attaching the fabric square to the top of the front of the frame, covering the mirror. Now, securely attach the mirror to the wall or divider at the babyâs eye level. Babies enjoy watching their own faces (and yours) appear and disappear. This activity encourages babies to focus their eyes and helps them begin to understand that something can exist even if they cannot see it. Now any type of "Peek a boo" activity will be fun. I have put pictures on construction paper, laminated and added flaps to make peek a book pages. They are always a hit.
Acceleration: Prop sturdy cardboard on pillows or books to make a ramp to floor. Vary this activity by using an empty paper-towel tube. Let the wheeled objects roll through the tube onto the floor. Change the level of the ramp to control how fast the object rolls down. This activity helps babies develop their visual tracing and eye-hand coordination. It gives babies firsthand experience with the properties of gravity.
Texture Book: Collect 8 fabric pieces, each with a different texture (corduroy, satin, burlap, flannel, terry cloth, wool, polished cotton, silk, lace, etc). Cut each piece into a 6 or 8 inch square. Stack the fabric squares and sew them together on one edge so they look like a book. This activity gives babies a lot of different things they can touch, or have touch them, which helps babies become aware of a variety of textures and learn to distinguish between them.
Float and Sink: Place a pan of room-temp water on the floor protected with towels. Place an object that will float in the pan. Push the object under the water and let go so it will pop back above the water. Have the baby try. Talk about what she is seeing and doing. Repeat with objects that sink. Water is very interesting to babies because of the way it feels and moves.
Sticky Feet: Cut a 1 food square piece of Con-Tact paper and tape it, stick side up, to a clean floor or a piece of carpet. Masking tape or strapping tape does a good job of holding the contact paper in place. Encourage the children to stand and walk on the sticky surface with out socks. Allow the baby to explore the area on his own. Baby may want to experiment by touching the sticky surface or placing a toy on the surface. If baby is not interested in the sticky surface, leave it in place for awhile and observe how he avoids stepping on it. This increases babiesâ awareness of touch sensations. It also helps them to learn what sticky feels like and to distinguish that feeling from others.
Hide and Peek Box: While baby is watching, say, âbye-bye, rabbitâ then place the toy inside the box and replace the lid. Say, âWhere is rabbit?â or ask, âCan you take the rabbit out of the box?â Repeat as many times as the baby seems attentive. To renew interest add a second box. Hide a toy in only one box, adding the element of mystery: âWhich box is the toy in. This activity supports the development of the babiesâ listening skills. They are developing the ability to hold a mental image of the toy and to understand that the toy, even though out of sight, has not gone away. This is called object permanence.
Noisy Sock Ball: Cut cellophane into smaller squares or strips and stuff the toe of a colorful, patterned sock with crumpled pieces until you have a ball shape. Leaving about 1 ½ -2 inches above the ball, cut off the remaining portion of the sock. Securely sew the ball closed using the needle and thread. Babies enjoy dropping and throwing objects. This activity helps babies develop eye-hand coordination and encourage their exploration of the concept of cause and effect. The crinkling sounds adds interest to the ball and the baby will extend her play with it.
Jiggle Jug: Clean a milk or juice jug with handle. While baby is watching, drop 6-8 old fashioned wooden clothespins into and shake the jug. Shake the clothespins out and drop them into the jug again. A very young baby will enjoy the jug as a giant rattle. An older baby may attempt to empty the clothespins out and put them back in. The baby will enjoy shaking or kicking the jug. Add some background music and encourage the baby to shake the jug in time to the rhythm. This activity help the baby learn about cause and effect and develop eye-hand coordination.
Other ideas:
Make a magnet board.
Use contact paper sticky side out on the wall and let them stick various textured items on it as well as take them off.
"doll" clothespins on a rim of a can. Put on, take off, and drop into a can. Make it more difficult by using the lid and putting a hole a little bigger than the clothespin so they have to push it into the can.
Have fun!
What kind of toys work best? Which do you recommend?
Q. Impressive Carriegr...lol
Thanks Salreyjr, I'll have to try your toy.
Thanks Salreyjr, I'll have to try your toy.
Answer
Fisher-Price has toys for every stage of growth and development. From infant activity toys, to discovery toys for toddlers, to imagination- and creativity-building toys for preschoolers and early school-age kids, Fisher-Price toys make growing and learning through all stages of development so much fun!
Infant(0-12 months)Toys by Type
Activity Gyms & Tables
Crib Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
High Chair, Stroller, & Car Seat-attaching
Music & Movement
Push, Pull, & Roll
Put & Take
Rattles & Teethers
Rolling Vehicles
Stacking & Sorting
Take-Along
Walkers
Popular Brands
Amazing Animals
Brilliant Basics
Go, Baby, Go!â¢
Laugh & Learn
Lil Laugh & Learn
Little Superstar
Miracles & Milestones
Ocean Wonders
Peek-a-Blocks
Rainforestâ¢
Roll-a-Rounds
Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh
Our Infant Favorites
Toddler(12-36 months)Toys by Type
Cars & Vehicles
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Playsets
Push, Pull, & Roll
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Trikes & Ride-ons
Popular Brands
Blue's Room
Dora the Explorer
Fun 2 Learn
GeoTrax
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Little Einstein
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Power Wheels
See 'n Say
Sesame Street
Snap 'n Style
The Backyardigansâ¢
Winnie the Pooh
Our Toddler Favorites
Toddler(12-36 months)Toys by Type
Cars & Vehicles
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Playsets
Push, Pull, & Roll
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Trikes & Ride-ons
Popular Brands
Blue's Room
Dora the Explorer
Fun 2 Learn
GeoTrax
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Little Einstein
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Power Wheels
See 'n Say
Sesame Street
Snap 'n Style
The Backyardigansâ¢
Winnie the Pooh
Our Toddler Favorites
Toys by Type
Action/Adventure Toys
Cars, Vehicles & RC Toys
Creative Activities
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Preschool Games
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Popular Brands
Car-nivores
Digital Arts & Craftsâ¢
Doodle Pro
Dora the Explorer
Easy Link
Fun 2 Learn
Fusion Crew
Go Diego Goâ¢
I Can Play Guitar
I Can Play⢠Piano
Imaginext
Kid Tough Electronics
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Light Sketcherâ¢
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Loving Family
Pixter
Planet Heroesâ¢
Power Wheels
Rescue Heroes
Sesame Street
Shake ân Go
Smart Cycleâ¢
Snuggle-Kinsâ¢
Spark Art
Star Station
The Backyardigansâ¢
View-Master
Fisher-Price has toys for every stage of growth and development. From infant activity toys, to discovery toys for toddlers, to imagination- and creativity-building toys for preschoolers and early school-age kids, Fisher-Price toys make growing and learning through all stages of development so much fun!
Infant(0-12 months)Toys by Type
Activity Gyms & Tables
Crib Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
High Chair, Stroller, & Car Seat-attaching
Music & Movement
Push, Pull, & Roll
Put & Take
Rattles & Teethers
Rolling Vehicles
Stacking & Sorting
Take-Along
Walkers
Popular Brands
Amazing Animals
Brilliant Basics
Go, Baby, Go!â¢
Laugh & Learn
Lil Laugh & Learn
Little Superstar
Miracles & Milestones
Ocean Wonders
Peek-a-Blocks
Rainforestâ¢
Roll-a-Rounds
Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh
Our Infant Favorites
Toddler(12-36 months)Toys by Type
Cars & Vehicles
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Playsets
Push, Pull, & Roll
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Trikes & Ride-ons
Popular Brands
Blue's Room
Dora the Explorer
Fun 2 Learn
GeoTrax
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Little Einstein
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Power Wheels
See 'n Say
Sesame Street
Snap 'n Style
The Backyardigansâ¢
Winnie the Pooh
Our Toddler Favorites
Toddler(12-36 months)Toys by Type
Cars & Vehicles
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Fisher-Price Classics
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Playsets
Push, Pull, & Roll
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Trikes & Ride-ons
Popular Brands
Blue's Room
Dora the Explorer
Fun 2 Learn
GeoTrax
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Little Einstein
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Power Wheels
See 'n Say
Sesame Street
Snap 'n Style
The Backyardigansâ¢
Winnie the Pooh
Our Toddler Favorites
Toys by Type
Action/Adventure Toys
Cars, Vehicles & RC Toys
Creative Activities
Dollhouse (toys by type)
Dolls & Accessories
Electronic Learning Toys
Kitchen Sets & Food Play
Musical Toys
Playing Grown-Up
Preschool Games
Sports & Outdoor Fun
Popular Brands
Car-nivores
Digital Arts & Craftsâ¢
Doodle Pro
Dora the Explorer
Easy Link
Fun 2 Learn
Fusion Crew
Go Diego Goâ¢
I Can Play Guitar
I Can Play⢠Piano
Imaginext
Kid Tough Electronics
Knows Your Nameâ¢
Learn Through Music
Light Sketcherâ¢
Little Mommy Dolls
Little People Toys
Loving Family
Pixter
Planet Heroesâ¢
Power Wheels
Rescue Heroes
Sesame Street
Shake ân Go
Smart Cycleâ¢
Snuggle-Kinsâ¢
Spark Art
Star Station
The Backyardigansâ¢
View-Master
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