The Littlest Players
Even very little ones are ready to play. Read how children learn through play.
It may seem like babies do nothing but eat, sleep, cry, and repeat the cycle again! But babies actually spend large parts of their day trying to play, and love any opportunity to engage with you. Here are some great ways to play with babies to help them learn and develop from the very beginning:
- Peek-a-boo: At five months, babies will really start to “get” this game! This timeless activity helps babies learn that things they can’t see still exist (a key part of memory). Cover your face with your hands and then open them to let baby see you’re still there! Or, cover baby’s eyes gently and briefly with a soft cloth or piece of clothing, and then take it away. Peek-a-boo!
- Rattles and Shakers: Holding up a rattle and shaking it in baby’s range of sight (10–12 inches away) can help little ones to focus their attention. As baby grows, play
with rattles can turn into musical play, and eventually, as grip improves, baby will be able to hold and shake rattles, too! - Silly Sounds: Sounds that may be commonplace to you, like sneezing, can be very funny to a baby! Pretending to sneeze or cough, clapping, or clucking your tongue, will not only get some giggles, it will also help them tune in to sounds around them, and make them aware they can make sounds, too.
- Walk and Talk: Babies are curious about everything around them, and they begin absorbing language as soon as they are born. Take baby out for a stroll and point out the people, places, and things around you to introduce new words.
Adult Teamwork in Children's Tough Moments
When it comes to supporting little ones with big feelings, providers and caregivers work better together!
The Beauty of Quiet Time Outdoors
Children can begin to recognize nature as a place they can find calm... and be calmed.
Watch and Play: Abby's Magical Beasties
Watch this episode and explore ways to extend the learning at home.
Pop and Play with Elmo!
Wanna mix play and learning? Have your child read Pop and Play with Elmo! to explore counting and colors.
Sesame Street App
Download the free, official Sesame Street app to watch videos and play fun, educational games in a kid-safe, ad-free environment!
Another Monster at the End of this Book
This is an animated storybook app, which will humorously help teach your child early reading and logic skills.
Potty Time with Elmo
Elmo reads this animated storybook in an app filled with games, songs, stickers and potty progress chart that all help ease your child through toilet training.