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(Unit 7) Topic 6: Ready Set Go: Playing Games in the Classroom ​

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Incorporating Games in Infant and Toddler Programs

​Topic 6 Page 6

​Infants and toddlers do not typically have the patience or developmental skills required for games that involve rules. There are many simple games and activities that can be done with infants and toddlers to support sensory, fine and gross motor skills, and social skills. During any activity it is the teacher’s role to observe the child’s behavior and skill level to make adjustments that best support development. If a task seems too simple or too advanced use your better judgement to assist or make changes to the activity.  

Games and Activities for Infants:

Birth to 3 Months

Motor Skills 
Hand-over-hand clapping while playing music and supervised tummy time throughout the day

Sensory
​Gentle tickles to make the baby giggle, singing to them, a colorful mobile above the crib

Social Skills
​Talk to baby about what you are doing when dressing or changing their diaper, make eye contact when talking, respond to infant’s requests for attention and needs

4-6 Months

Motor Skills
​Supervised tummy time throughout the day in different areas of the room and shift the baby to different positions to challenge motor skills

Sensory 
​Find toys with different textures, fabrics and colors to stimulate their senses

Social Skills
​Play games such as peek-a-boo or The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, use facial expressions and talk to them when they babble

7-9 Months

Motor Skills
​Place toys just out of reach to promote movement, encourage the baby to play with a ball and practice rolling it and throwing it, and have them sit up while playing with toys

Sensory
​Make sensory shakers with glitter, toys and water then secure the lid on with glue and encourage floor play with a variety of toys in different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures

Social Skills
​Pretend play with a phone, describe what you are doing as you feed or dress them, play music and dance or sing to them, include songs with rhyming words or rhythmic language

10-12 Months

Motor Skills 
​Ask to perform simple tasks that require motor skills, supervised play with dough, and use stacking blocks or rings

Sensory
​Use age appropriate sensory bins, introduce new textures, touch and name body parts, and encourage the baby to crawl over, around, and under objects of a safe height

Social Skills
​Practice waving hello and goodbye, put words to common objects when touching them to join the tactile experience with speech, and practice simple phrases or requests

• ​​Video: Baby Games: Baby Activities & Games, Howdini
• Best Baby Games: Birth to 18 Months, By Heather Johnson Durocher from American Baby, Parents