Infant Activity Calendar - Ideas for children from birth to 18 months old - Alberta Health Services
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Infant Activity
Calendar
Ideas for children from birth to 18 months old
References
Moving and Growing: Exercises for the First Two years; Fitness Canada and the Canadian Institute of Child Health
Play Calendars: Weekly Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; Rachel B. Diamant M.S, OTR/L Therapy Skill Builders 1996
Growing Together: Communication Activities for Infants and Toddlers (Birth-12 months); Monica Devine, M.A CCC-SLP, Communication Skill Builders 1990
Amazing Good Ideas (for nothing); Alberta Health
Decreased language with TV; www.advanceweb.com; copyright 2009 Merion Publications
Screen time and Young children: promoting health and development in a digital world. Canadian Pediatric Society 2017 www.cps.ca
Eye See-Eye Learn; The Alberta Association of Optometrists handout
First Impressions; The Canadian Association of Optometrists pamphlet
Fight the Bite; News release Government of Alberta 2003
Children safety seats;: www.parachutecanada.org or albertaseatbelts.ca
Sleep Problems and your Preschooler; Children’s Health and Developmental Services, Alberta Health Services, Medicine Hat
Will I Grow out of it (Milestones and warning signs for Speech and Language development); Alberta Health and Wellness SP00005 (2004/08)
Babies, children and sun safety; Health Canada release http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb
Feeding Baby Solid Foods (6-12 months) Alberta Health
When Your Baby can’t stop crying; www.cryingbaby.ca Alberta Health Services pamphlet Dec.2008
Feeding Baby Infant Formula; Alberta Health
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/alberta/AlbertaDocuments/vitamin-D-for-babies-and-children.pdf
Breastfeeding Your baby; Alberta Health
Healthy Parents Healthy Children The Early Years; Alberta Health Services (2013) www.healthyparentshealthy children.ca
Special thanks to the following people for their recommendations and edits: from Alberta Health Services, Nutrition Services: Vanessa Restivo, Danielle Wohglemuth, Emily Burt, Marissa Salon and
Martina Sung; from Alberta Health Services Provincial Injury Prevention Program: Valerie Cook and from Alberta Health Services Public Health: Lorissa Jones, Kathleen Barker, Jennifer Splaine and
Melissa Thomson.
Copyright © (2011, revised 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020) Alberta Health Services. This material is protected by Canadian and other international copyright
laws. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied, published, distributed or reproduced in any way in whole or in part without the express written
permission of Alberta Health Services (please contact Kim Nowicki at the Early Childhood Intervention program at 780-623-6227 or kim.nowicki@ahs.ca.
This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the
accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy,
reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health
professional. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from
such use.
www.albertahealthservices.ca
Dear parents and caregivers,
You are your child’s best teacher. They will learn the most about the world from you. This
calendar has been created to provide you with an activity to try with your child every day.
These activities do not require a lot of time, materials or preparation so you can fit them into
your daily routine.
Activities are designed to encourage development in the areas of:
communication-the language they understand and the language that they express
gross motor skills– how they move their bodies in physical activities
fine motor skills– how they use their hands
self-help skills
social skills
problem solving skills with focus on their auditory attention, visual attention and memory
building skills
Recipes, rhymes and parenting tips are included also to inspire and encourage.
Please use caution and supervise all the activities.
Take time to play and enjoy creating special moments with your little one. Your
impact on their overall development will be significant and will last a lifetime!
JANUARY
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Parenting tip: Sleep and your infant Rhymes:
Infants in their first year need on average 14-17 hours of sleep. Usually they Eyes, Nose, Cheeky, Cheeky Chin
sleep for up to ten hours of sleep at night and the remainder of sleep takes (Point to each body part while you sing:)
place during many naps throughout the day. From 12-18 months a child needs Eyes, nose, cheeky, cheeky chin
up to 13 hours of sleep with possibly 1-2 naps a day and around 10 hours of Eyes, nose, cheeky, cheeky, chin
sleep each night. Eyes, nose, cheeky, cheeky chin
Cheeky, cheeky, chin, nose eyes
At first it is difficult to have a set routine for sleeping and waking, but as the child
grows, try to establish a bit of a routine to have similar waking and sleeping Head and Shoulders
times, with regular feeding times and play times throughout the day. (Point to each body part while you sing:)
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
Regular sleep will help with irritability and fussiness. Put your child to sleep in a Knees and toes, knees and toes
similar way each time, in a darkened room, with secure and loving ways to Head and shoulders, knees and toes
encourage settling and self-regulation. Eyes, ears, mouth and nose
Recipes:
Carrot puree (6 months+)
Cut carrots in 1 inch pieces and steam in a stovetop steamer for 12 minutes.
Cool in ice water. Boil some water and let cool. Blend carrots in a food
processor or blender, add some cooled water to mixture if not smooth. Fill
1/4 cup plastic containers or ice cube trays with the puree and freeze. Thaw
and warm as you need.
Apple/pear cereal (6 months+)
Mix applesauce or pureed pears with your child’s iron fortified rice cereal for
a different taste.
Note: As your child grows older, make your purees thicker and less smooth.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Carry your child Rub lotion on their Encourage your child Imitate your child’s Look at a book facing Cover your face
around your home arms and legs, and to grasp a rattle or sounds. Pause and your child. Point at with a cloth or
and talk about what massage. Talk or another toy. Once see if they will try to pictures and say blanket and hide.
you see. sing to them while mastered hold it a bit imitate you. Use single words and Say “Where did I
rubbing in the lotion. out of their reach and expressions and make sounds where go?” Uncover and
Label their body parts see if they will move gestures and see if possible. In this way say either “Boo!”
as you massage. to grasp. they will imitate also. your child can look at or Here I am!”
the pictures and at
your face to see the
words.
Help your child Crumple some Hold your child so With your child laying Place child on tummy Massage feet and Hold your child
touch something aluminum foil into a they are facing you. on their back, pull off on a beach ball or hands and count and look into a
that is cold like an ball. Hold your child Make funny faces and their socks one at a exercise ball, each toe/finger. Clap mirror together.
ice cube or snow. on your lap in front of encourage your child time and say ”Bye-bye encourage tummy feet or hands together Talk, make faces,
Then say a table. Roll the ball to touch your face and sock” or “sock off”. time play with the ball and sing rhymes! name body parts,
“brrr...cold” in front of them to label. “Nose”, “eyes”, straddled between make sounds,
watch and encourage “mouth “ etc. your legs on floor. enjoy!
him to “catch it.” Good eye contact!
Hold a toy or Position your child on Make a repetitive Give your child Make sounds like Roll a ball or a toy
medium sized ball their back or in sitting sound, word or noise something large to “ba,ba” or “da-da” and car to your child in
above their arms or position and help and wait for your hold so that they need see if they will copy. lying or sitting
legs. them touch soft things child’s reaction then two hands to hold it. A Sing these sounds to position and see if
Help or encourage (i.e.: soft animals, repeat. Examples: large stuffed animal, a the tune of “Row, row, they will reach out
them to lift legs to washcloth, blanket make an animal “hop, large ball or a large row your boat”. to grab or
kick the toy or lift etc.) with various body hop, hop” or a car bowl would work. eventually roll
arms to grab the parts. goes “Brrrm!” back to you.
toy.
Help your child to Make a funny “wa-wa” Show your child items Tie a soft rattle or Help your child to When it is time to eat, Look at a picture
grab for different sound by patting your in your house that are bells around your squeeze their hands say just that “it is time book together,
objects and allow lips with your hand. hard like furniture, child’s wrist or ankle when holding to eat” as you position when your child is
them to explore Wait for a reaction toys, plastic items. and encourage them squeezable objects. them for feeding. Try cuddled on your
each. Say “Look at then pat you child’s Help them to pat the to shake. Say and Squeeze toys and to say it consistently lap. Talk softly
the ___. Get it!” lips and see if they will object. Talk about sing: “Shake, shake, sponges in the tub, each time. and label each
And when they do make the sound. each item. shake”. Repeat. squeak toys, foam picture and point
exclaim “yeah!” Repeat. balls etc. to it.
www.albertahealthservices.ca
FEBRUARY
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Rhymes: Tony Chestnut Parenting tip:
Tony Chestnut (point to toes, knees, chest and Breastfeeding
head) Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your
Knows I love you (point to nose, eye, cross arms baby. Breast milk is the only food or drink your
over chest and point to “you”) baby needs for the first 6 months of life to
Tony knows, Tony knows (point to toes, knees, support healthy growth and development.
nose...repeat) Solid foods can be given at 6 months of age
Tony Chestnut knows I love you (continue with with continued breastfeeding until to 2 years of
gestures) age and beyond.
That’s what Tony knows (point to toes, knees,
nose) Other feeding notes
For non-breastfed babies, iron-fortified
Rock-a-bye baby formula should be given.
(same tune different words, can interchange Cow’s milk (3.25%) can be offered
“name” with the word “baby”.) between 9-12 months of age if baby is
Mommy loves baby, yes she does eating many iron rich foods.
Daddy loves baby, yes, he does Weaning from the bottle can start at 6
Grandma loves baby, grandpa does too months of age by giving water or formula
Yes, little baby-we all love you. in a regular cup.
By 12-14 months old, babies should not
Recipe: Baby teething cookies (for 9 month olds or older) be fed from a bottle.
1 cup iron fortified infant cereal (plain or flavored)
1 cup whole grain flour Vitamin D
3 tbsp. vegetable oil All babies should receive 400 IU of Vitamin D
1/4 cup cold water every day.
Preheat oven 425 F. Combine flour and cereal in a mixing bowl. Gradually stir in oil. For more information about feeding your baby,
Add water 1 tbsp. at a time until dough forms. Roll out dough onto a floured surface . contact your local Community Health Services
Cut into rectangles or fun shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer shapes onto a office or call Health Link at 811.
parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until biscuits are golden
brown. Cool completely and transfer to an airtight container and use within one
week.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Put a cloth or Give your child a Sit your child on your Call your child’s Experiment with new Give your child a With an empty paper
blanket over your rattle or noisy toy to lap. Hold your child’s name when you sounds and see if picture card such as towel roll or plastic
child’s face and say hold, and you hold shoulders and gently enter a room or when your baby will copy a greeting card or cut cup make “do-do-do”
“Where are you?” one also. Show your bounce and sing a trying to get their you (try clicking with a picture from a sounds. Give to your
Take it off and then child how to bang song. As they get attention, smile and your tongue, cereal box. Show child to see if they will
say “there you are!” the toy on the floor or stronger hold them respond when they smacking your lips, them how to turn the make the same
or “Peek-a-boo!” on a table top. by the sides and then look at you. blowing bubbles with card over using their sound: “do-do-do”.
later by the hips, in saliva, gurgling etc.) wrist and forearm.
this activity. See if they will copy.
Blow bubbles so While carrying your Sing this month’s Tie a short string no Say “Who’s my Show your child a
they can watch child, move fast, rhymes with your longer than 6 inches valentine?...my stuffed animal, when
them, when they dance to music or child. Do the actions to one of your child’s sweetie?...my love?” you touch the nose
pop say “pop”. Be move in a circle. Say with your child. toys. Show how the Then say “You are” say ”beep”, when
careful of eyes, try words like “whee” or When you say the toy moves when you then tickle or kiss they touch the nose
to blow near their “dance” or “spin”, word “love” in the pull the string. them. Pause and also say “beep”. A
hands. while moving. “Rock-a-bye baby” Encourage them to repeat. great cause and
rhyme song, give pull and say “Come effect game!
them a kiss! here ___”
Sit on a chair with Turn the water on Play “So Big” with Show your child a toy Lie on your back with Encourage your child While you are holding
your child facing and off in your babies your child. Using with moveable knees bent and to touch your mouth your child next to a
away from you, presence. Say “Here different tones, wheels or a doll with place your child on or your throat when table, drum your
support their hips, it comes, the water is whisper, use deep moveable limbs and your stomach sitting you are talking. They hands on the table.
bounce them gently on”...then say “the tones, or a high show them how they with their back will enjoy, feeling the Try loud beats and
and sing a rocking water is off, all gone!” pitched voice, move and see if they against your thighs. vibrations and are soft beats and help
song. combine these and will try to grab to Bounce them and learning about your child to copy.
say “so big” as you imitate the play “horsie”, helping communicating in
lift your child’s arms movement. them to balance. this way.
to the sky.
Partially cover a toy Listen to music When entering a Help your child to Shake a rattle or Sit your child on your
with a cloth. Make together. Sing along darkened room, hold two toys. Help squeak a toy next to lap or in their high
sure they can still and encourage your when you turn on the your child to move your child, but slightly chair. Put some
see part of it. Say child to sing also! light say “lights on” them up and down or out of their sight. floatable toys in a pan
“Where’s the ___?” and same when you bang them together. When they turn to of water and show
and pull off the cover leave “lights off”. Say “up...down” or see it, say “you found how to bob them up
and say “there it is!” “bang, bang, bang” it”. and down.
during the actions.
www.albertahealthservices.ca
MARCH
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Parenting tip: Soother safety Rhymes:
Avoid giving a soother or artificial nipple to breastfed babies until There’s a cobbler on my street
breastfeeding is going well (at least 6 weeks old). There’s a cobbler on my street
If you choose to give your child a soother or pacifier, purchase one that Mending shoes for little feet
has a soft nipple that is all one piece, so that it flattens out against the With a bang and a bang, with a bang, bang, bang
roof of your child’s mouth when they are sucking. A hard nipple may (lightly tap the bottom of your child’s feet)
cause jaw problems later in the child’s life. Mending shoes the whole day long
Check your child’s soother often to make sure the nipple is firmly attached Mending shoes to make them strong
to its base. With a bang, and a bang, with a bang, bang, bang
Replace pacifiers every 2 months, even if they look perfectly fine. Throw (again tap your child’s feet)
out soothers that change color, are sticky, cracked or torn.
Do not tie the soother around your child’s neck with a cord or string. The Moon is Round
Do not coat the soother with honey, or other sweet substances. This can The moon is round as a round as can be.
cause cavities, and honey should not be given to children under 12 (Trace your child’s face with your finger)
months. Two eyes, a nose, and a mouth
Wash your child’s soother often with soap and water, and rinse well. But (point to features while you sing)
do not clean in your own mouth as you can transmit germs that cause Like me!
sickness or cavities. (point to yourself)
Weaning from the soother should happen early at around 1 year of age.
Recipes:
Sweet potato with cinnamon (6 months+)
Peel and chop sweet potato into bite sized cubes, place in a stovetop steamer and
steam for 10 minutes until soft. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mash with a fork.
With the leftovers store in ice cube trays or 1/4 cup containers, and freeze for later
meals.
Fruit blend (6 months+)
Cut up finely, mash or blend in a food processor: banana, pear, peaches, mango,
cantaloupe or kiwi, a combination of these or one or two. Serve!
Note: before mixing foods try each food first with your child and leave 2 days
between the trial of each food
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Babies like to Help your child learn Put a picture from a Stack some blocks or When holding a toy, When preparing food
experiment with to roll from back to magazine or cereal small boxes, then roll accidentally drop it. for your child, even if
sounds especially their side by placing box up beside where a ball and knock Say “oops!” and it is just pouring
when there is a toy, a toy near their you change your them over. Stack point to where it went water into a glass.
spoon or their fingers shoulder. child’s diaper. Point again and see if they and say “ fell down”. Talk to them and
in their mouths. Help them roll to their it out and talk about will try to roll the ball. describe what you
When you hear their side to grab it. things in the picture, are doing.
sound, copy it back Say “Get it”! Change the picture
to them. regularly.
Sit your child on a Place a toy inside a When the family Give your child time Sing to your child this Make a brag book for Make a tunnel out of
table in front of you clear container with a dinner is cooking, on their tummy to month’s rhymes: your child, include a box, cutting away
and support. Wear a lid. Show them how talk about the smells encourage head “There’s a cobbler on pictures of all family the ends. Roll a car
colorful hat, tie or to put it in and take it and what is cooking. control, pushing up my street” and “The members. Point at or ball through the
scarf and encourage out. See if they will with arms, and later Moon is round” pictures and say their box. Say “Where did
your child to balance try the action or if working towards names. it go?” and “there it
while exploring the they will hand it to crawling. is” when they
item of interest. you for help. discover and see it.
When shopping Give your child a Holding a doll or a Sit on the floor with Take your baby to Make a color shaker,
place child safely in teething biscuit to try stuffed animal. Point legs outstretched and “people watch” at a using a clear bottle
shopping cart. When to eat on their own out the facial features place your baby on recreational facility, a such as a vitamin
rolling vary speeds when ready to try and label for your their tummy across shopping center, bottle. Fill with
and say “fast” ,”slow” solid food at around child. Touch the your lap. Encourage park or restaurant. water, sequins,
“go”, and ”stop”. 6 months old. Say body parts on the them to push their Name things or glitters, marbles.
Always keep them at “Mmmm, good object then on hands down on the people as you see Seal and glue lid on.
arm’s length. cookie”. yourself or on your floor to push up. them together. Encourage your
child. child to shake!
Encourage your child Sit on floor with legs Try to minimize or Place your child When your child Make a ramp using When they have
to try drinking from a apart & stand your allow no TV watching propped with towels makes a sounds try books, propped. learned to sit, then
regular cup...the child facing away until your child turns if need be in a box or to repeat it back. Then take a ball or a offer toys to their
earlier the better. Try from you. One hand 2 years of age. a laundry basket and This is important in car and release at side and front to
a straw cup or sippy holds the child Use books often, give them ride. building the top of ramp, position strengthen balance
cup once they have across the chest, the picture cards or just Great for foundation of your child at the and righting
mastered the regular other across the point to objects and strengthening communication. bottom to catch item! reactions.
open cup. knees. Encourage label as an balancing muscles. Say words like “here
bearing weight on alternative. it comes!” , “go”,
feet, and support. “stop”, “catch it”.
www.albertahealthservices.ca
APRIL
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Rhymes: Parenting tip:
Dental care for babies
Round and round the garden
Round and round the garden, (draw Wipe gums with a soft cloth, after eating,
circles in your child’s palm or on their and first thing in the morning and last thing
tummy) before bed at night.
Like a teddy bear,
One step, two steps (take steps with When their first teeth appear, you can start
walking fingers) brushing their teeth using fluoride
Tickle you under there (tickle them under toothpaste. Use only a small amount of
their arms) toothpaste as small as a grain of rice until
they are age three years old.
Round and round the garden Drinks for baby (6-12 months old)
Through the wind and rain Check your child’s teeth often for signs of Breastfeeding is recommended until 2
One step, two steps, tooth decay, if you see white lines along the years of age and beyond. Along with solid
Tickle you there again gum line or brown areas along the gum line foods, breast milk will provide your baby
this could be a sign of early tooth decay. with the nutrients they need.
Itsy-Bitsy Spider Water can be offered in small
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water Have your child’s teeth checked by a dental amounts to quench their thirst from a
spout professional at one year of age. Check your regular cup with two handles. Do not use a
Down came the rain and washed the local Community Health Services office for a sippy or straw cup.
spider out dental program that offers checks and tooth
Out came the sun and dried up all the brushing strategies. For non-breastfed babies, iron fortified
rain formula should be given until 9-12 months
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the Remember you should help your child of age, then they can be given whole cow’s
spout again brush their teeth until they are 8 years old. milk in an open faced cup. Babies should
(Variation: lower your voice for “the great be weaned off the bottle by 12 months of
big hairy spider”) Try to wean your baby off of a soother/ age.
pacifier as well as a bottle by the time they Juice is not needed by babies. If you
are 1 year old. This will be better for their do offer juice make sure it is 100%
teeth and their oral structure and muscles. unsweetened juice and limit it to only
1/2 cup (125 ml) per day.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
If your child is over 8 Look at a picture Sing to your child Bounce your little Lay your child on a In a metal coffee can
months old place book or a magazine. when washing their monkey on the bed. large blanket or or metal bowl, show
some bite size Talk about what you face and hands or Try it on their towel, on their back your child how to
crackers or cereal see and label and when bathing. “This stomach and on their or stomach. Hold the drop something
pieces in some then give the sound is the way we wash back and bounce corners and give your inside to make a
plastic eggs. Have that the object our hands, wash our them gently. Air child a ride on a noise. Continue until
your child shake and makes. “Car...beep- hands, wash our mattresses work smooth floor. Wheee! they try it.
then open them up to beep”; “Cow...moo- hands…” great for this also.
try eating. moo” etc.
“Foot up, arms up” Make homemade Play the telephone When preparing a Practice the featured Hide a toy under a Play with nesting
When dressing your baby food (when game with a toy meal make some rhymes with your washcloth. Say containers. With a
baby, each time talk baby is over 6 phone or an old pasta and when it is child: “Round and “Where is it?” See if bunch of similar
about clothing items months). Blend phone. Push buttons cooked give some round the garden” they will uncover to shaped containers of
and body parts. cooked and pretend to talk, cooled pieces to your and the “Itsy Bitsy find where it is. different sizes. Nest
“Pants on...foot up” if vegetables in a “hello”, “hi”, and then child for them to Spider”. When they do say the smaller into the
they do not do the blender and place give to child. When explore while sitting “There it is!” larger. Let your child
action help them and into ice cube trays. finished say “bye” at their high chair. take apart and guide
repeat “ foot up”. Do Freeze and thaw and hang up. to put together.
the same with arms! later.
Use one or two word Make your own In a sink or in a At bath time, use a When your baby is 9 Time to get the
phrases with your pegboard. In the lid basin, pour in some sponge, cup or a months+, put cereal stroller out and go
baby. Use an of a shoebox, cut bubbles and water squirt toy and drop pieces in muffin for a walk. Go over
animated voice and holes big enough for and mix with a whisk. water on different cups. Encourage grass, sidewalk, and
repeat often. Also spoon handles or Make lots of suds body parts. Say your child to grab one gravel for different
speak closely to your straws to poke and have your child “water on your leg”, out of each cup and feels. Talk about
child so they can see through. Your child explore, grabbing and “water on your eat. Great what’s happening.
your face when you will like to put these popping. Watch their tummy”, “water on concentration and “Bumpy, fast, slow,
are talking. in the holes and take eyes. your arm” etc. hand muscle work smooth...etc”
them out. out.
Go to a park and Make a puppet, Sit your child on one Take a walk outside Stand your child Put a toy in a Make a peek-a boo
slide down a slide stuffed animal or of your legs, with hips and point out all the beside an upside container. Show book. Place a
together. Hold on even a sock, talk or bent and legs on flat things that you see. down sturdy box or them the item and photo between two
tight...wheee! sing to your child. surface. Support if Explore your basket and support. then dump it out. pieces of cardboard
This is especially necessary. Say “I am neighborhood or Stack some blocks Repeat. that are taped
handy if you are going to get you” and yard. on the top and see if Say “in” and “out” together. Decorate
waiting somewhere. then tickle or kiss they will try to knock during activity. the top page. Say
their neck. Repeat! over. “Where's ___?” “here
they are!”
www.albertahealthservices.caMAY
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Rhymes Parenting tip: Language development warning signs
A lady goes… If you answer “no” to any of the following questions with respect to your
(place your child on your lap and vary the degrees of child’s language development and your child is between ages 0-18 months,
bounce) please contact your local Community Health Service office or a Speech and
A lady goes bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bounce Language Pathologist for further assessments.
A gentleman goes trotty trot, trotty trot, trotty trot During your child’s first three months, do they react to sound by either
A cowboy/cowgirl goes gallopy gallop, gallopy gallop, startling to loud sounds or can they be soothed by calm and gentle
gallopy gallop Yee Haw! sounds?
Does your child (between 4-6 months) respond to your smiles and
This little piggy interactions with interest or try to “talk”?
(wiggle their toes one at a time) Between 6-12 months does your child babble or try to “talk”?
This little piggy went to market Does your child (between ages 12 to 18 months) try to use words and
This little piggy stayed home talk a bit and do they interact with others?
This little pig had roast beef
This little pig had none Early detection can mean helping your child to talk easier as well as to
And this little pig went whee, whee, whee, whee understand more about their world. Early intervention activities and ideas are
All the way home. essential to enhance communication. If you have concerns contact your
(Change the objectives “to the movies, “had pizza” etc.) local Community Health Services office for more information.
Recipes:
Note: before mixing foods try each food first with your child and leave 2 days between trial of each food
Potato deluxe (8 months +)
Mix cooked mashed potato, with tuna or shredded cooked chicken, milk, grated
cheese, peas or corn. Serve! Great as leftovers also.
Fruit blend (8 months+)
1 apple peeled, cored and diced
1/2 pear peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup blueberries
Place fruit in a saucepan and just cover with water, then simmer for 5
minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender and puree. Serve.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Tie a string to a toy or Play a clapping game With another family When dressing, name Set up a mirror for When your child is
a ring. Dangle in with your child. Sing member play hide body parts. With feet your child to see lying on their back
front of your child and or just say “clap, clap, and seek. Hide and hands when themselves while see if you can pull
see if they will reach clap” With two blocks behind a sofa or putting into sleeve or they play on the floor. them to sit and
to grab. Move it side see if they will hit under a blanket. pant leg, look for Watch their then to stand just
to side, up and down them together also. Then say “Where is them in the openings. responses to their holding their
and see if they will ___?” Say: ”fingers, where image. hands. Make
follow. See if they will look, are you?” “toes…”etc. sure they are
then pop out and say supported,
”there they are” through their neck
and back if weak.
While playing with a Look at a touch and Sing featured rhyme Whatever your child While playing see if Change your child’s Place your hands
toy they are feel book that has for this month. Try to does, whether it is an they will give a toy to play positions under your child’s
interested in, see if textures. Or when sing them throughout action or a sound you. Just say “give” throughout each day, chest and hips.
they hold it firmly and you are looking at a your daily routines. copy it. “Monkey-see and reach out your to workout their whole Then hold him in
will they resist your book together point at Monkey-Do”. See if hand and see if they body. Lay on back, the “superman”
pull with a tight the objects and just they will take turns, will give it to you. If sit upright, tummy position and fly!
grasp? Play a bit of say one word, and and if they will start to they do, praise them; time, stand with Try in front of a
tug of war, but let tap your finger to get copy you. if they do not keep support, sit in chair mirror and
them win. their attention. trying. etc. encourage the
child to reach out!
Hide a toy that makes Place your child on a Try giving your child a Walk outside today, When talking with Use a rattle or
noise turn it on. See beach or large ball, regular cup to drink explore grass, sit and your child, let them bells to see if they
if they will search out on their stomach and with especially at let your child feel and see your face and will turn both
the sound. Then roll back and forth. meal time. If they pull with their hands. mouth as you form directions to listen.
show them the toy Also try sitting them spill, give them a Some will love; others words and sounds. Try shaking a bit
once you have seen on the ball, move cloth to wipe up with. will not. Simple words and out of their sight
their response. them side to side, short phrases are also. Let them
supporting at hips to best. Do not use explore and shake
see if they will react. baby talk. to make their own
sounds after.
Add a gesture to a Put a sticker on one Present two different Put a sock on one of With a cup, place a Give your child a Ask your child
new word when of your facial toys to your child for your child’s hands toy or ball underneath massage. Use lotion “where’s your
introducing it. For features. When your your child to look at, and encourage them and see if they will and rub their arms tummy?” Lift their
instance when saying child tries to grab it, encourage them to to remove. Try the find. Ask “Where is and legs and back. shirt and say
“Bye-bye”, then wave; name the body part. inspect one and then other side also. the ball?” Name their body “there it is”, and
for “no” shake your Repeat with another the other. parts as you rub them give it a tickle.
head; for “up” hold placement. Watch Make up a little song. Repeat. Soon
out your hands, etc. that they do not eat they will lift their
the sticker. own shirt.
www.albertahealthservices.caJUNE
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Parenting tip: Sun safety
Be careful with your baby when you go outside on a sunny day. Cover your
baby up with a blanket, and/or have them wear a hat and long sleeves and
pants. Stay in the shade with your baby, use an umbrella if there are no other
sources of shade. DO NOT put sunscreen on babies less than 12 months
old. Apply children’s SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen on all skin that is exposed
to the sun, when your child is 1 year old and older.
Mosquito safety:
Use mosquito netting around your child when in a seat or in their stroller. Do
not use insect repellant with DEET on infants under 6 months of age. For
children 6 months to two years use only one application of insect repellant
containing 10% DEET per day. An insect repellant with 5% DEET is
preferable. When applying avoid putting on your child’s face and hands.
Wash treated skin and remove treated clothing after returning indoors.
Or have your child wear long sleeved clothing and pants and avoid going Rhymes
outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are at their worst. Peek-a-boo song (Tune: " Where is Thumbkin”)
(Hide your child under a blanket)( Can use name in
song)
Where is baby? Where is baby?
Recipe: Watermelon ideas (6 months+) What should we do? What should we do?
Wash the exterior of the watermelon and slice into pieces and prepare in Peek-a-boo baby Peek-a-boo baby (lift blanket)
a away that is appropriate for you baby. I see you, I see you
Mash or puree for your baby(6 months+). Enjoy alone or add to iron
fortified infant cereal. A Smooth Road
Combine watermelon, frozen strawberries and full fat plain yogurt for a (with your child on your lap, vary the bumps according to the
tune)
delicious smoothie that can be enjoyed by spoon, straw or even frozen A smooth road, a smooth road, a smooth road
into homemade popsicles. A bumpy road, a bumpy road, a bumpy road
Chop watermelon into bite size pieces for a healthy and refreshing finger A rough road, a rough road, a rough road
food. Serve alone or mix with cottage cheese. A….hole! (let your child fall between your legs)
Note: before mixing foods try each food first with your child and leave 2 days between trial of each food
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Wear a shirt with a Dip “O”-shaped, multi Play the dump and Help your child with Allow your child to If your child is over 6 When outside allow
pocket. Put a small grain cereal into pick up game. Fill a cause and effect play with some pots months and eating the wind to blow
toy or object of applesauce or yogurt container with blocks activity such as and pans. Show solid foods-place bubbles, you may
interest into the and place on their or small toys and turning a light switch them how to bang your child’s snack– have to move your
pocket. Ask “Where tray. Are they raking dump. Then pick up on and off, or pulling two lids together. baby cookie or arm to create your
did it go?” and see if with all fingers or are and put back in. a ceiling fan cord. Give them a spatula biscuit inside a own wind. Use
they will seek it out. they using their Caution: they will Say “on” and “off’ to and let them bang on container and see if words like “look”,
thumb and pointer want to repeat again correspond with the pot. Fun and they can get it out, by “pop”, “uh-oh”, “all
finger to pinch to pick and again. effect. noisy! grabbing it or gone” etc.
it up? dumping it out.
Pretend play with Make an indoor With your child have Fill a small bowl with Set aside a kitchen Hat play. Try putting
invisible food. Use wagon out of a box fun helping them to water and together cabinet with things on hats (or even a
play dishes and with a string kick a ball. You can explore filling cups, that your child can bowl, fresh diaper,
invisible food. Use connected, put things swing them into it small bottles, scoops, play with. They will aluminum pie plate)
words like “mmm”, in and pull towards before they can walk big spoons and enjoy opening and on their heads and
“good” ,“drink”, etc. your child, so they or if they are walking funnels. closing and taking when they take it off,
can peek. Great for place the ball in front everything out. Put on something
when they are mobile and they will walk Keeps them busy different. Ask
to help clean up. into it. Say “kick”. while you cook! ”Whose that?”
Play with large fridge When outside see if Use manners in your Messy play! Once Sing “Pop goes the Place a stuffed With a glass of milk
magnets on a you can find an directions . “May I your child is over 6 weasel”. When you animal or toy in front and a straw, blow
refrigerator door. insect (ladybugs have that please?” months and eating sing the word ”pop” of them when they bubbles for your
Position work great) place in When they give you solid foods- On their coincide it with an are in their jolly child to see. Say
yourself in front of a jar for the child to something that you high chair give them action like a clap, jumper, or when you “bubbles”. Stop and
the fridge with your watch them walk asked for, say “thank a scoop of yogurt or falling down, or are holding them, ask “Want more?”
child on your lap or around. you”. Early modeling and then show them closing a book. Sing and encourage them Then repeat.
standing bearing of manners will help how to make lines, again and repeat. to reach out with both
their weight. Watch them to learn theirs. shapes and circles in arms for the item.
carefully. the substance.
When outside find a Sing the featured After a diaper Hide a toy in a box, Purchase a pinwheel Sit outside in the
dandelion flower rhymes: “Peek-a-boo change, pull your an old purse, a paper toy and either blow it grass. Turn the
which has gone to song” and “A smooth child up from laying bag or a container, or show your child sprinkler on a low
seed. Blow the road” for this month to sit or to stand. and help them find it. how it blows in the setting. Have your
seeds, and watch with your child. And say” Up!” When they find say wind. Listen to the child watch and see
them float away. “there it is!”. They will wind, rustle leaves if they will try to
want you to repeat etc. catch the water.
again and again.
www.albertahealthservices.caJULY
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Parenting tip: Crying and your child Rhymes:
Sometimes you won't know what your baby is trying to tell you Here comes the mouse
when they cry, just try your best to figure it out . Stay calm and Here comes the mouse, (speak slowly and walk your fingers up
ask your partner for help. Know that even if you can't calm your their legs or arms)
baby, they will still know that you love them and that you are Here comes the mouse,
trying. Here he comes, here he comes, here he comes!
Babies cry for a number of reasons. Sometimes crying is a late (spoken quickly and tickle your child at the same time)
sign of hunger. Feed your baby when they show the early signs of
hunger such as smacking lips, sucking on hands or fists and You are my sunshine
searching with an open mouth. You are my sunshine
If they are not hungry ask yourself, "what do they need?” A clean my only sunshine
diaper? A burp? A cuddle? Try different things, such as gently you make me happy
rocking, walking with them or talking, singing and playing soft when skies are grey
relaxing music. You’ll never know (child’s name)
Never shake a baby for any reason. Babies and young toddlers how much I love you
have heavy heads and weak neck muscles. Even a few seconds Please don’t take my (boy/girl) away
of shaking can cause blindness, hearing loss, and life long health
problems or death. Please don’t take my sunshine away
Recipes:
Note: before mixing foods try each food first with your child and leave 2 days between trial of each food
Chickpea Hummus (6+ months)
1 1/2 cup canned chick peas drained, rinsed and mashed
1/3 cup tahini paste or peanut butter
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. full fat yogurt
Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Add water if
needed until desired consistency is achieved. Serve on its own or as a spread.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Go for a walk Roll up a blanket and Tie two or three items Young babes like to When your child is 9 When a toy falls over Sit on a sidewalk or
outside, and help place your child on on to their high chair look at black and months or older, in a or when something porch with a bucket
your child feel their tummy so that and encourage them white designs and clear, dry plastic tips over say “uh-oh”, of water, cups, and
different things (i.e.: they are on their (while sitting) to faces. Make a bottle, place some or “oh no”. See if sponges. “Paint”
rock, twig, branch, hands and knees. retrieve the items by design on a paper cereal or bite sized your child will imitate with water on the
leaf, etc) Describe Hold their hips and pulling up on the plate with a black snacks inside. Shake you. surfaces, try making
how they feel: rock them back and strings. Make sure marker and it and dump it and footprints and
smooth, bumpy, forth. Place a mirror they are securely encourage them to see if your child will handprints too!
rough etc. on the floor. fastened to be safe! look at it, in sit or in copy you.
side-lying position.
Go to the park and Sing “Ring around If your child is over 6 While holding your When grocery Fasten a rattle, or
swing together. the Rosie”, holding months- On a hot child on your lap sit shopping, point out slide a ring toy or
Place your child on your baby and day, give your child and bounce gently on different items and teething bracelet on
your lap and hold dancing in circles. an ice cube to your bed. Make fun label them, also let one of their legs and
with both arms. See Then when you sing explore on a flat sounds as you your child feel or hold see if they will bang
if they like it; keep it “they all fall down” surface. Will they bounce. Then rock different (safe) items their feet to make
low and help them either fall down or dip pick it up? Try eating them side to side and while they are in the noise or lift their leg
feel secure. your child lower and it? Play with it until it pretend to almost fall cart. to inspect.
then pop back up. melts? Supervise! over. Whoa!
When your baby is in Sit you child on a Hold a ribbon or Stand your child on Place water in an ice When you hear your Sit in front of a table
their high chair or cushion, a thick book paper streamer or a your lap facing you, cream lid, and have phone ring, say together, stack some
sitting with you by a or stool with their feet thin strip of aluminum and support. Move your child place their “phone!” Encourage blocks or measuring
table, put a little planted on the floor. foil, in front of a fan your legs up and feet in it. Help them your child to play with cups. Encourage
water on the flat Place some toys at or outside when down to march their walk or stand on a a play telephone , your child to knock
surface. Encourage their feet and see if windy and watch with legs up and down or cement surface and and if the call is a them down. Say “Oh
them to explore with they will bend to pick your child how it encourage them to leave their footprints. familiar person let no”, or “fall down”.
their hands moving up toys. Support at moves in the wind. dance to the beat. Can vary this activity them listen to the
back and forth. their hips! with paint and paper. voice.
Before you change Read a book in a tent When outside, lift When playing with a Lay your child on When sitting at the
your child’s diaper, with a special snack. your child high above stuffed animal or their tummy, hold a table together give
lower your child from A tent can be made your head and say puppet, make it hide toy above their face, your child an object
sit position into laying by just throwing a “So big” then bring and say “bye-bye” lift it up and across to look at. See if
position by holding blanket over your them down and say and wave. When it their body to they will pick it up.
their hands; and say: head. Use a flashlight “whee”. Repeat. comes back say “hi!” encourage them to lift Make sure that the
“down, down, down”. to look at a book or Encourage your child their head and push item is not small
each other. to copy words or up on arms or to turn enough to fit through
wave. over to watch or get a toilet paper tube, to
it. reduce choking risks
www.albertahealthservices.caAUGUST
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Parenting tip: Car Seat Safety
Your baby must be in a rear-facing seat that is correct for their weight and height when in a
vehicle.
It is safest for a baby to stay rear facing until at least 2 years old, or they reach the
maximum height and weight for the car seat as stated by the manufacturer.
A rear facing seat provides the best protection for a child’s head, neck and spine in a
sudden stop or crash.
For installation instructions refer to the safety seat instruction manual and your vehicle
manual.
Check out: www.myhealth.alberta.ca or www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca or
Call Health Link at 811 for all the most up to date information.
Rhymes: Pat-a cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake Baker’s man (clap your child’s hands together)
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Roll it and roll it (roll arms over one another)
and mark it with a “B” (or the 1st letter of your child’s name)
And put it way up in the oven for “baby” and me (lift hands way up and point to child Recipe:
and then to self) Banana French Toast (6 months+)
Here is the Bee hive Mix 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup of milk, 1 egg and
Here is the bee hive (clasp hands together) 1/2 tsp vanilla or cinnamon in a wide bowl.
But where are all the bees, (open hands palms up)
Hidden away where nobody sees (cover eyes) Then dip pieces of whole grain bread and
Out of the hive they will come coat, place on a non stick griddle or pan and
1,2,3,4,5 (unfold fingers from fist) cook both sides until golden brown. Cool a bit
Buzz (tickle your child all over) says the bees and serve in small cut up pieces and allow
your baby to enjoy this tasty finger food!
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
With some Play with your child Give your child a Record your child’s Make cookies with After you change
measuring cups with a noisy toy. long item to hold, babbling, on video or your child. Let them their diaper, ask
show your child how Make a sound and such as a serving on an audio device. smell the ingredients them “Want up?”
they nest together, see if they will copy spoon, or a paper Send to family, (vanilla, flavoring) Hold your hands out
how a small one fits the movement to towel tube. Extend makes a great and hold a spoon. and watch their
into a larger one. make the same your hand out and keepsake also. Do not let them eat response, if they
sound. see if they will pass batter though. Say look at you and try to
the item to you and “mmm, smells good” reach out...then say
then pass it back! “going up!”
With a piece of yarn Place your child on Turn the music on In front of a large With a stuffed animal Sit your child on your Give your child some
or string, thread toy your lap and play and dance! Hold mirror, make faces at or toy, play “pop up”. thigh supporting their paper. Encourage
rings, cardboard “horsie” Gently your child’s arm and each other. Swing Hide your hand head and back. Tip them to squeeze and
tubes, jar rings etc. bounce your leg. move to the music, your child close to under a blanket or your child’s body crumple. Be
and tie between two Stop and start, and dip them, twirl them, the mirror. Say “who something and then backwards and watchful if they tear
chairs. Sit your child say “Giddy up or bounce. Enjoy! is that handsome/ cue it to “pop”. Say forwards, side to to remove so they do
in front of string and whoa horsie” to pretty boy/girl?” Ask “hi!” then hide again side. Bounce. This not eat the paper
encourage them to correspond with the “where’s your nose?” and repeat! is great for pieces.
move the items. action. etc. strengthening their
Yee-haw! balance.
Sit with your child at With connectable Roll a large ball, roll When dressing your With two blocks, see Play “peek-a-boo” Stack toilet tissue
a table and roll a ball rings, pop-beads or to your child in a child, talk them if they will hold both with your child. Hide rolls and then push
or a car off the table blocks, show your sitting position. See through what you are in each hand. Then behind a blanket or them or kick them
and say “Where did it child how to snap if they will push it doing. “Now we put show them how to pillow and “peek”. over together.
go?” see if they will together and pull away from your shirt on, where bang them or clap When they start to Repeat.
seek it out. Repeat. apart. See if they will themselves, or hold are you? There you them together. Clap, crawl, hide behind a
hold on while you on to it. Repeat! A are. Let’s put your clap, clap! couch or chair and
pull. beach ball is perfect pants on, toes where see if they will seek
for this as it is quite are you? Aha!” etc. you out.
light.
Sing the featured Hide a toy that While carrying your With a toy car, drive Tickle your child. Hide a ball or a small
rhymes together for makes a continuous child look for the car on your Name their body toy under a plastic
this month: “Pat-a- noise, by your child something in a child’s arms and parts as you tickle. cup while they are
cake” and “Here is and see if they will cabinet or room or legs, back and See if you can get looking. See if they
the bee-hive” seek it out. even the fridge. Say tummy. See if they them to smile, giggle will look for and then
“Where’s the milk?” will drive it on you. and laugh. Precious! grab the toy.
for example have Make car noises and
them help open the say “go!”
door then say: “there
it is” .
www.albertahealthservices.caSEPTEMBER
Ideas for infants from birth to 18 months old
Rhyme: Recipes: (6 months+)
If you are happy Once your child has been introduced to many foods
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap) individually, then you can try the following ideas for adding
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap) texture, variety and new flavors to your child’s meals:
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it Try mixing iron-fortified cereal with mashed fresh or
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap) canned fruit
Finely mashed or ground pasta mixed with sauce,
cream or grated cheese
Soft cooked rice with soft or pureed vegetables
Parenting tip: Safety for your baby Fork mashed soft or cooked vegetables. Try foods like
avocado, sweet potato, parsnips, and squash.
Always keep one hand on your baby anytime they are on a high Fork mashed flaked salmon, tuna, turkey or chicken
surface such as a change table, couch or counter. Always place the with pureed vegetables. Make sure fish bones are
car seat and baby seat on the floor. removed.
Always use the safety strap when your baby is in her stroller or Fork mashed cottage cheese or ricotta cheese with
swing or infant seat. added mashed fruit (fresh/canned) or vegetables.
Never leave your baby alone near water even for a second. One
hand should be on your baby while they are in the bath. Do not use bath seats
they are dangerous and could tip over.
When your child starts to move, place wall mounted gates at the top of your
stairs and pressure mounted gates at the bottom of your stairs.
Reduce your child’s chance of choking by cutting food into tiny pieces (the
size of a fingernail), when they are able to eat finger foods (at around 9
months of age).
Keep small objects out of reach to prevent choking. Anything that fits inside a
toilet paper roll is too small for your baby to play with. Keep coins, button bat-
teries, detergent pods etc, out of reach.
Medicines, vitamins, alcohol, cannabis products, cigarettes, cosmetics and
household cleaners should be out of sight and locked up tight.
To prevent burns turn your hot water heater down to 49 degrees Celsius or
install an anti-scald device on your tap. Do not drink hot beverages while
holding your baby and keep hot food and beverages out of reach.
If you have concerns with your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Services office.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
With a noisy toy or When your child is over Play with a squeaky With your child facing Talk about “hot “ and When saying “hi”
bells, move them to 6 months-Try offering toy. Squeak the toy away from you on “cold” with your child. or “bye-bye”, say
both sides without breast milk or water to by squeezing and your lap, bounce With an ice cube the words with
your child seeing, satisfy your babies then give to your them gently and tip allow them to touch animation and
and see if they will thirst before juice. If child to see if they them from side to and say “brrr…cold”, wave. Help your
turn their head to you do offer juice give can copy the action. side. As you tip kiss fill a cup with hot child to wave also,
localize the sounds. an open cup with 100% They may use their their ear and say water and empty let each time.
unsweetened juice and hands or quite “peek-a-boo!” on them feel the outside
limit to 1/2 cup per day. possibly their mouth. each side. of cup and say “hot”!
With a favorite toy, Sitting face to face, Sing his month’s When dressing your Play “how does the Place different
move the object make a sound that rhymes with your child child, talk about body animal walk?” while desirable toys or
behind an object and you have not heard daily: “If you are happy parts. When putting your child is laying objects just out of
have it reappear on your baby use and you know it” and arm in sleeve, look in down. Move their reach and
the other side. See if before. Try “shh” for “Sally goes round the and say “where are feet and legs and encourage them to
your child will track example, put your sun”. your fingers? there make up movements: move their bodies
where it goes when finger to your lips. they are!” as they “elephants stomp, to “reach” and get
this action is repeat- Will they copy the slide them out. Try horse gallop, mice the item.
ed. action or the sound? toes and head, also. scurry,” etc.
Give them a ring toy Cover a sibling or Place a toy that makes With a pot, place Give your child (6 Explore leaves Place some
to play with (can use parent with a blanket sound within a child’s blocks and smaller months+) a drink outside. Give your smaller toys in a
homemade rings and and then say ”Where visual range and then toy inside, and help from a cup at each child a leaf to touch, container or bag.
peg). Will they take did they go?” See if move the toy and wait your child stir with a meal. Put a bit of does it crumble or Say “what’s in
the ring stack apart? they will seek the for them to re-locate. wooden spoon and breast milk or water can they tear it in there?” When
Place rings on peg person out by lifting Then say “there it is!” “cook” the blocks. in so they can half. Just watch so they grab an item,
and see if they will or pulling blanket. practice. Encourage they do not eat it. and inspect it, give
put on or take off. them to gesture for them the name of
“more?” Say the item like
“mmmm, milk” etc. “block”, “ball”, etc.
Place blocks in a Take turns with your With two color pieces Make a paper Put a blanket over Sit cross legged on Put lots of different
container, one by child. Lay your child of fabric, wave your megaphone, by your child and your the floor and sit your hats in a box! Try
one, and then dump on the floor and see arms back and forth rolling sheets of head and make a child on your lap. them on yourself
them out. Dump and if they will try to get and make them “fly” or paper into a cone tent and say “it’s dark Hold and move their and on your child.
fill, they will do this your attention. With “go”. Give them one and tape together. in here” , “where are ankles so they are Say “hat on”, “hat
over and over. a squeal, or an and see if they will Make loud sounds we” and then take doing a tap dance on off”.
action, copy what copy. and quiet sounds and blanket off and say the floor. Sing or
they do, and repeat! see if your child will “here we are!” play some music.
copy.
www.albertahealthservices.caYou can also read
