Learning Activities for Infants and Toddlers: An Easy Guide for Everyday Use (Creating Child-Centered Classrooms)

Learning Activities for Infants and Toddlers offers caregivers, home visitors, and parents more than 100 learning activities based on the latest research on infant and toddler development. The easy-to-use format includes simple steps for preparation, a list of low or no-cost materials, and a "home connection" to involve parents and expand the activity at home. Symbols link each activity to a chart of development so that caregivers and parents can plan appropriate learning activities. Learning Activities for Infants and Toddlers makes it simple for caregivers to make every moment with the child a learning opportunity!

Excerpt from Chapter 4: The Toddler (18-24 mos.)

I Know My Name

Purpose: The child will say his first name either when asked, "What is your name?" or spontaneously, in referring to himself.

Materials: 2 toy telephones

Preparation: This activity can be done during any daily activity, but it can also be done using 2 toy telephones.

Activity: Using a toy telephone, pretend to call the child so that he answers on the other telephone. Ask, "Who is this?" or "Is this Alex?" Encourage the child to say his name into the telephone by playfully saying, "This sounds like Grandpa--are you sure you are Alex?"

Say the child's name often during the day. For example, tell the child, "I am putting Peter's shoes on him now!" or "I am giving Peter his dinner now!" When the child uses a word or gestures, such as pointing to an object, expand on this by saying, "Marina wants the new book" or "Eva wants to come with me to the garden." Ask questions that lead the child to say his own name, such as, "Who is wearing these mittens?" "Who is sitting on Grandmother's lap?" or "Who is eating the bowl of hot soup?" Ask the child, "Who is that?" when looking in a mirror, or when looking at a picture of the child.

Extensions and Variations:

With the toy telephone, say things like "Hello, may I speak to Grandmother? May I speak to Daddy? Who am I speaking to?"

If the child does not respond with his name, prompt him by saying, "I am speaking to Alex!" then repeat the game.

Continue to state the child's name if he does not give it in these turn-taking games.

When older or younger children join in this activity, use their names and encourage the use of each name by the group of children.

Wait after each question to give the child time to respond with his name before saying the name for him.

Be playful, making up a silly name and asking if it is his name: "Is your name Beezyboo? No? Timinini? No? Is it Julio? Yes! I think it is Julio! What is it?"

Home Connection

Ask families to continue this game with names at home, using names of other family members. For example, families may use the child's name throughout the day as described above. They may also play silly games with names, such as saying "Are you Mommy? Daddy? Alexander? Oh! You are Alexander! That is you--Alexander!"