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Siblings may not always want to
play with each other. But even a few minutes a day
can be a wonderful bonding experience for both of
them.
Birth to Six Months
The Joyful Guide to Child's Play
from Birth to Three Years
Click here
Funny Faces
Babies as young as one month will imitate facial
expressions. Have your older child sit with you,
take turns making silly faces and wait for baby to
copy what you do. The baby's funny expressions will
delight a toddler or preschooler.
Rattling Around
Show your older child how to gently shake a colorful
rattle about 8 inches away from baby's face. This is
the distance at which newborns can best focus. As
the baby follows the rattle with her her eyes, she
is learning to associate the object with the sound
it makes. And, big brother or sister will feel
important because he can make the baby do something
interesting.
Six to Twelve Months
New Peekaboo
At this wonderful age, babies begin to learn that
objects and people exist even when they can't see
them. The game of peekaboo offers reassurance,
surprise and plenty of giggles. You can take this
old game further than just hiding your face in your
hands though. The big kid can hide a small toy under
baby's blankie and then pop it out, for instance.
Again, the older child will feel a real sense of
accomplishment because he can entertain the baby.
Fill and Spill
Have your older child fill a pot, empty box or
lightweight container with soft or plastic blocks.
Then, have your older kid show the baby how to dump
it out. Repeat. Your preschooler will delight in
making a mess and your little one will be honing her
hand coordination.
Twelve Months to Two Years
Read to Me
Preschoolers love to "read" their favorite picture
books, and babies enjoy sitting and looking at
pictures. Invite your older sib to tell the story of
her favorite book and point to the pages while baby
watches.
Earthquake
Save up single serving cereal boxes for this simple
stacking game.
Tape the tops shut and let the kids take turns
stacking the boxes one on top of the other and see
how many can be piled up before they all fall down.
Your older child can practice counting the boxes as
they are stacked up.
By Jenny Wandersheild
Courtesy of ChildFun.com For more
Valentine crafts, recipes and coloring pages, please
visit the ChildFun Website http://www.childfun.com
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