Grow Together
Weekly Games For Each Phase of Early Childhood: 09/29/2024 - 10/5/2024
Supporting your child’s development doesn’t have to be complicated! These weekly games are designed to help your little one grow and learn while having fun together. Tailor these games to your child’s age and stage for maximum benefit!
Newborn (0-3 months): Sensory Exploration
Newborns are taking in the world through their senses, so games that engage touch, sound, and sight are ideal for this stage.
Game: Tummy Time with Textures
How to play: Lay your baby on their tummy on a soft surface, then place different textured fabrics (soft blanket, smooth silk scarf, etc.) under their hands and feet. Move the textures gently around for them to explore.
Developmental benefit: Strengthens neck and shoulder muscles, supports sensory development.
Infant (3-6 months): Mirror Play
At this age, babies are fascinated by faces and love to look at their own reflection!
Game: Mirror Faces
How to play: Hold your baby in front of a baby-safe mirror. Make different faces (happy, surprised, silly) and describe what you're doing: “Look! Mommy is smiling!” Encourage your baby to look at their reflection and imitate expressions.
Developmental benefit: Promotes social-emotional development, visual tracking, and self-awareness.
Infant (6-9 months): Peek-a-Boo with Objects
Babies in this stage begin to understand object permanence, which means they know something exists even when they can't see it.
Game: Peek-a-Boo with Toys
How to play: Hide a favorite toy under a blanket while your baby watches. Say, “Where did it go?” and then reveal it: “There it is!” Let your baby try lifting the blanket to find the toy.
Developmental benefit: Enhances cognitive development, understanding of object permanence, and fine motor skills.
Older Infant (9-12 months): Clap & Sing
As babies get older, they start to love mimicking actions and sounds. Interactive music and clapping games are perfect.
Game: Clap Along Songs
How to play: Sing a simple, rhythmic song (like “If You’re Happy and You Know It”) and clap along with the beat. Encourage your baby to clap too. You can also tap on their hands or feet if they need help with the motion.
Developmental benefit: Boosts fine motor skills, coordination, and language development.
Toddler (12-18 months): Ball Roll Fun
At this stage, toddlers are developing their motor skills and beginning to understand cause and effect.
Game: Roll the Ball
How to play: Sit on the floor facing your toddler and gently roll a soft ball to them. Encourage them to roll it back. Add variations by using balls of different textures or sizes.
Developmental benefit: Supports hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and turn-taking.
Toddler (18-24 months): Color Sorting
Toddlers love to practice new skills like sorting and categorizing.
Game: Color Match
How to play: Gather colorful objects like blocks or socks. Ask your toddler to sort them into piles by color. Use encouraging phrases like “Let’s find all the red ones!” You can also create a color-matching game with colored cups or bowls.
Developmental benefit: Enhances cognitive skills, color recognition, and problem-solving abilities.
Toddler (2-3 years): Pretend Play Adventure
Imaginative play is thriving at this age, and toddlers are ready to dive into creative role-play.
Game: Teddy Bear Picnic
How to play: Set up a “picnic” with toy food, stuffed animals, and a blanket. Pretend to serve food, pour drinks, and invite your toddler to join in on the fun! Let them take on roles and make up scenarios.
Developmental benefit: Fosters creativity, language development, and social skills.
Preschooler (3-4 years): Shape Hunt
Preschoolers are learning more about shapes and their surroundings. Turn this into an adventure!
Game: Shape Scavenger Hunt
How to play: Cut out large shapes (circle, square, triangle, etc.) and hide them around a room. Give your preschooler clues like, “Can you find the circle near the couch?” Let them hunt for the shapes and talk about each one as they find them.
Developmental benefit: Encourages spatial awareness, shape recognition, and problem-solving skills.
Preschooler (4-5 years): Simon Says Movement
By now, children are able to follow more complex instructions and love interactive games that test their abilities.
Game: Simon Says
How to play: Play a classic game of “Simon Says,” but focus on movements that support physical development (e.g., “Simon says jump like a frog” or “Simon says touch your toes”). Make it fun with silly commands!
Developmental benefit: Enhances listening skills, physical coordination, and impulse control.
These simple games are not only engaging but provide developmentally appropriate activities for each stage. Whether you’re bonding with your newborn during tummy time or playing pretend with your toddler, these games offer meaningful ways to support growth and have fun together.
Remember, the best part of these activities is the time you spend together, fostering a nurturing and positive environment for learning and development. Enjoy these playful moments with your little one!
