Category: Mess Level

  • Water Play

    Your Child Will Learn

    To explore the characteristics of water

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Fill the bathtub or set up a kiddie pool or plastic bin outside. Provide some water toys. Some household objects that are great water toys:
      • Cups,
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  • Turning Pages

    Your Child Will Learn

    How to turn book pages one at a time (and explore a book on their own)

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Read a board book with me (one with thick cardboard pages). Encourage me to turn one
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  • Nesting Four Boxes

    Your Child Will Learn

    About size differences between objects

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather four boxes of different sizes that fit inside one another, or “nest.” (They can be shoe boxes, jewelry boxes, square food storage containers, or a square
    … Continue reading

  • Play Dough

    Your Child Will Learn

    Fine motor skills and how to use tools

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Play with play dough! You can use store-bought play dough or make your own (recipe attached).
    2. Show me how much fun it is to
    … Continue reading

  • Learning to Unwrap a Toy

    Your Child Will Learn

    Fine motor skills (grasping objects and coordinating both hands together)

    Here’s What to Do

    1. While I watch you, place a toy in a piece of waxed paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, or paper bag
    2. While I watch,
    … Continue reading

  • Hugging a Teddy Bear

    Your Child Will Learn

    That toys and objects have a function or purpose 

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Introduce new toys or household objects and encourage me to use them for their intended purpose. Examples:
      • Toys like stuffed animals, toy phones,
    … Continue reading

  • Exploring My Feet

    Your Child Will Learn

    To become interested in their feet, and eventually bring their feet to their mouth or hands. This action helps develop muscle control and strength.

    Here’s What to Do

    Help me become interested in my feet! Here …

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  • Keeping Safe When I Explore

    Your Child Will Learn

    What is safe to explore in their home

    Here’s What to Do

    1. In rooms where I spend a lot of time, designate a low drawer or shelf as “mine.” Put a sticker or a picture of
    … Continue reading

  • Keeping Marks on the Paper

    Your Child Will Learn

    How to keep my coloring and painting on the paper to get ready to learn to write

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Tape a piece of paper to a larger piece of cardboard or a tray. Tape
    … Continue reading

  • Learning to Sticker

    Your Child Will Learn

    Fine motor skills, how to use stickers, and creativity

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather things that are sticky on one side, like sticky notes, tape, or stickers.
    2. Help me peel a sticker or tear a piece
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