Title: What’s in the bag?
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Small motor

Activity Objective: This activity helps the infants to practice their skills on grasping and they have fun exploring new items of all shapes and sizes.

Supplies needed: Pillow case, different sizes and shapes of infant toys and stuffed animals.

Directions: sit in the view of the infant and slowly pull out one object at a time and bring the object in close enough for the infant to feel and touch.  Slowly bring out two or three objects at a time.  Talk to the infant about the object.  Tell them to touch it.  If they reach out take it back and then let them grab it and explore it.

Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –Year                                                 Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.63.

Title: Shakers!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Small motor

Activity Objective: This activity helps the infants to acknowledge cause and effect.  By moving the items up and down the items make noise, and the noise gets louder the faster the item moves.

Supplies needed: One sturdy container, Toys that make noise when they are moved.  You can make theses by adding colorful beads to an empty water bottle.  Make sure the lid is glued shut.

Directions: First let the baby view all of the items.  Let the baby feel the items and then show the baby what kind of noises the items make by shaking them faster and faster.  You can then sing a song and shake to the beat of the song.  Let the infant grasp the shaker and use your hand to guide his or her arm up and down to make it shake.

Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –Year                                                   Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.62.

Title: Ribbon Dance!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Small motor

Activity Objective: This activity helps the infants experience a fun sensory experience.  Supplies needed: Pipe cleaners, Many different colors of ribbons. 

Directions: The pipe cleaners will be used as sticks with the ribbons dangling down.  Just twist the pipe cleaner around the ends of all the ribbons.  Put on a relaxing lullaby CD and dangle the ribbon all over the babies face, hands arms, legs and tummy. 

 Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –                                          Year Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.59

Title: Wash cloth grab!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Small motor

Activity Objective: This activity will help a young infant with controlling body movement and eye and hand coordination.

Supplies needed: Many colors of washcloths.  You can include printed cloths as well. 

Directions: Place two to three different colored cloths' on the floor next to the infant.  Have the infant lying on his/her back.  Float the cloths above the infants head and let them grab and explore them.  Watch the difference in reactions when you pick up the cloth’s and replace them with new colors or prints.  As you do this activity try singing a song with your infant like 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.'

Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –Year                                                   Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.58

Title: I’m stuck!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Small motor

Activity Objective: This activity lets the baby feel different textures, and view themselves as they do it.

Supplies needed: A large section of contact paper, a floor mirror, and tape.

Directions: Tape the contact paper to the mirror.  Sit the mirror down in the middle of the room and watch the infant have fun.  Make sure you use an infant safe mirror found in most infant stores.  Ask your infant questions in a high pitched voice like 'Who do you see?' 

Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –Year                                                   Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.173.

Title: Dance Party!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Large motor

Activity Objective: This activity helps the baby enjoy music and rhythm while moving around at the same time.

Supplies needed: Various types of fast pace music. 

Directions:  Play the music and bounce the infant on your knee to the same rhythm of the music.  Also try holding the infant and bouncing, and try standing the infant up and bouncing.

Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –Year                                                   Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.143.

Title: Noisy fun!
Age level: birth to 8 months
Type of Activity: Large motor, and sensory

Activity Objective: This activity helps the infants enjoy different sounds and practice being independent.

Supplies needed: As many safe household items or toys that make noise.  Bowls and and large spoons work great! 

Directions:  Lay all of the items on different spots around the floor.  Space them far away from each other.  Let the infant experience the items and observe how far the infant will travel to get to the next item.

 Reference:    Miller, Karen. Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants Toddlers and Two –                                      Year Olds.  Maryland: Gryphon House. 1999, p.144

 Activities adapted by Rachel Stone
Activities are to be done with an adult to ensure safety!