Play a collaborative game together
What You Need:
- Simple list of items for children to find
A sample can be found at:
https://first5sandiego.org/newsletter-march-april-2018-a-springtime-scavenger-hunt/
What To Do:
- Read over the list with your child, making sure he understands what items he is looking for. If playing outdoors, possible items can be: cloud, white flower, grass, rock, sticks. If playing indoors, possible items can be: block, napkin, something with a wheel, and a slipper.
- Have him be the detective to find the various items on the list.
- You can have him look at the list to decide which item to find or you can give him clues such as, “We’re looking for something green that grows on the ground.”
- Have him search for all items on the list or you can take turns and have him tell you what to find.
*If other children are participating, pair them up and have them work together to find the items on the list.
Allow baby to see other baby's faces by choosing books that feature little ones
What You Need:
- Book about babies (e.g., Baby Faces by Margaret Miller, Global Babies from Global Fund for Children, I Am a Baby by Kathryn Madeline Allen)
What To Do:
- Choose a book about babies to read to your little one.
- When reading, read the words on the page, but be flexible to your child’s needs. Talk about the pictures and other things you see in the book. Call attention to the babies in the book and what they are doing or feeling. For example, “She’s wearing a pink hat. She looks so happy. See her smiling face?”
Don’t worry if your baby has a short attention span or if he is more interested in putting the book in his mouth. The most important thing is to read often with your child. Making the time to cuddle with him, as you read, he hears your soothing voice and sees new things; which, promotes bonding with him and building on his love of reading.
Painting activity to do with your child.
What You Need:
• A small tub, container, or bucket
• Water
• A paint brush
What To Do:
1. Give your toddler a small plastic tub of water and a paint brush.
2. Find a suitable fence or wall outside for her to “paint.”
3. Show her how to dip her brush in the water and “paint” the fence or wall.
4. Then, let her do it by herself.
5. Talk about her movements, for example, “up and down,” “side-to-side.”
Safety Alert: Toddlers love water. It’s fun to explore! But never take your eyes off your child while she’s in the bathtub or playing with a container of water. Your child’s top-heavy head may cause her to fall forward into the water and not be able to get up. Children can drown in a few inches of water.
Engage your keiki in adding ingredients to make a yummy soup
What You Need:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 small whole potato (red or yukon variety)
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 5 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 15.5 ounce can corn, drained
- 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 to 2 cups cooked meat
- 1 cup cooked beans
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, peas, or beans
- 1 teaspoon seasonings (Italian seasoning mix or Taco Seasoning Mix)
- salt and pepper to taste
What To Do:
- Read the book “Stone Soup” retold by Heather Forest together.
- Have your child place the small whole potato into a large pot. Tell him that it represents the stone from the story.
- Then, ask your child to pass you the ingredients as you cook on the stove. Start with the onion and cook it in the oil for five minutes.
- Ask your child to pass you the cut potatoes and carrots for you to stir, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add in the broth, then the corn, tomatoes, meat, beans, peppers, and seasonings.
- Stir well and bring to a simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Adjust seasonings.
- Talk about how all the ingredients come together for a tasty soup!
Helpful tip: To make it even more fun for little ones, place the pre-chopped veggies in separate bowls in various areas of the kitchen. That way, as you call out what you need for the soup, your child can take turns finding the requested ingredient.
Adapted from scholastic.com
