Discoveries Old and New

Baby Signs: book, comb, moon, song, sock, yogurt Discoveries Old and New December 29th – January 2rd, 2015 Lesson Plans for 3 - 6 Months Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Wiggle, Wiggle Let’s Talk, Babies! Green Display Kitty Cat Language Wiggle your index finger Locate pictures of real With baby on her in the air as you recite: Talk to all the babies in green objects. Consider tummy, lay a stuffed and Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle your care from the very green beans, green peas, cat in front of her. Lie Music little finger, beginning. Babies love peppers, kiwis, avocados, down beside her; tell Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle in the sound of your voice. broccoli, etc. Laminate baby that the cat As you feed each baby Goal: to hear the air. the items for durability. meows & purrs, make today, carry on a language Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle Display on a low wall for those sounds. conversation with them! patterns and little finger, two weeks. Sit with a Does baby try to associate words Wiggle all around & put baby and talk about the communicate by with it there!” photos. Emphasize the making sounds too? If items/actions On ‘put it there” touch color. so, copy baby; if not, baby on the nose. . continue to meow and purr. Ribbon Sheets Did You Know? New Year Cleaning Hand Discovery Having a security blanket Rotate the rattles and Babies discover their or other “lovie” is a way Fine Sew or hot glue ribbon other fine motor toys hands about 3 months streamers to the edges of for a baby to find today; replacing them of age. Lay baby on Motor a washcloth. Hold the confidence & comfort by with others so that the his back & talk softly washcloth above baby so himself. Don’t worry babies have different Place his hand gently that these will foster Goal: the ribbons are within an opportunities for learning on his cheek and say dependent behavior; the grasping arm’s length. Encourage and exploration. “Baby’s hand is so opposite is probably true: objects her to reach for them. nice.” After a few a baby who has a special times, hold his hand in blanket is finding a way front of his eyes before to make the world a less & after you put it on overwhelming place. his cheek. Building a Town; Tummy Time Different View Free Exploration Tear It Down By 5 months a baby may It’s very important that Gross be able to lift his head, Throughout the day, a young baby be Place a stack of cloth push up on his arms & place baby facing regularly placed on a Motor blocks on the floor. Help arch his back to lift his different directions on a firm, cushioned chest off the ground. He soft rug, blanket or in the surface where she can Goal: baby build a tower with them. Knock the tower may even rock on his infant seat. Put baby in move freely; kicking strengthen back stomach & kick his legs. her arms and legs, muscles down and build up again. different places at Continue until baby loses All these exercises help different times, too. This stretching and—when interest. him develop the muscles gives baby the chance to developmentally ready he needs to roll over in see things from a —rolling from the both directions. Provide different perspective. front to back and back lots of tummy time to to front. encourage this. Scrunchies Floor Photos Dust the Baby Green & Brown Put scrunches around Streamer Pull Baby’s wrists or ankles. Obtain photos of the babies Lie baby on his back and Sensory Point these out by holding and their families. Place the gently dust his arms, tummy Hang long green & brown and Baby’s hand and saying, pictures on the floor where and legs. Baby will love the “Look at you, this hand crepe paper streamers children are. Sit with baby sensation and will wiggle loosely around your neck. Art looks great!” Check to see if and look at these photos arms & legs in excitement. Baby’s eyes focus on the When you lean over baby together, describing what (Note: use only new and to change her or pick her hand (or on the scrunches). you see: “I see Emma and clean dusters for this Securely attach a large bell up, allow her to reach out her daddy” “Do you see activity.) & touch the streamers. to a scrunch or circle of Alphonso and his mommy?” elastic that can go over the Will she crunch them or baby’s feet. Encourage Baby tap at them? to bring his hands or feet to his mouth. Help him focus on the scrunches for longer periods of time. Discoveries Old and New January 5th – January 9th , 2015 Lesson Plans for 3 – 6 Months Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Dance a Merry Jig Butter Fly Bend Horse Rides Did You Know? Collage of Babies Touch one finger or toe Sit with baby sitting in Seat baby atop a soft A baby as young as 3 or 4 Cut many photos of at a time as you chant: your lap facing away blanket, facing you months may have stranger babies from magazines Language “This little pig danced a from you. Bend from the This is the way the anxiety although it or print off the normally doesn’t occur and merry, merry jig. waist with your arms gentleman rides, the until a baby begins internet. Paste these Music This little pig ate candy. stretched forward so you gentleman rides, the crawling. The severity of a onto a piece poster Goal: This little pig wore an become a "cocoon" gentleman rides. baby’s reaction depends on board. Laminate or Develop orange & black wig, enveloping her. "Okay This is the way the her temperament in general cover with Contact expressive This little pig was a caterpillar, you're gentleman rides, so early & her mood at that paper. Place collage particular moment. language skill dandy, waking up now." Then sit in the morning. on the wall at eye level But this little pig never up and reach the baby's This is the way the Researchers believe it’s where baby can touch, grew very big… arms up, too. Move your astronaut rides, the stronger in a mobile baby look at & explore. because she’s beginning to And they called her “Itty arms out to the sides and astronaut rides, the understand that she can be Provide verbal Bitty Mandy” (substitute flap them, saying, "Now astronaut rides separated from her parents. encouragement and for baby’s name) you're spreading your This is the way the support when baby wings — you're a astronaut rides, so early shows interest in this butterfly!" in the morning. display. . Opening Hands Squeaky Toy Rocket Landing on Yarn Pull Toy Touching & Tasting Sitting in a chair with the Moon Fine When baby’s fists begin baby in your lap, squeeze It’s difficult to feed a Attach a piece of yarn Babies learn the most uncurling (typically a squeaky toy. Place the baby w/a spoon. Hold to a toy. Gently and about their world by Motor around 3 months old), toy in baby’s hand. She the spoon down below slowly pull the toy being able to touch and Goal: routinely play with his will grasp it as a natural baby’s tray & say towards baby. Next hold the things they Hand-eye fingers, tickle his palms reflex & be surprised “Rocket landing on take baby’s hand and see. Take a look coordination and put his hands up to when it squeaks. Keep the…”, then bring it up help her pull the toy. around your room to your face. giving her the toy & soon quickly but carefully (as see if there is an ample she will realize that her close to vertical as you amount of interesting, hand is making the toy can without spilling) & safe things to look at squeak. gently place it in baby’s and hold. mouth as you say “moon.” Giddy Up, Horsey Turn Over, Baby Carry Me Swinging Green Kick, Kick, Kick Gross While bouncing baby Lay baby on her back. Carrying baby in different Tie a bright green Examine your nursery gently on knees recite: Sit behind her head, ways helps her strengthen stacking ring to a to insure that you have Motor “Giddy-up, giddy-up, holding a small toy needed muscles. Try Back- colorful ribbon. Hang a variety of cradle Goal: giddy-up horsey, above her face. When To-Front Horizontal: Pick the ribbon over the gyms and busy boxes Strength upper up the infant so his back is Giddy-up, giddy-up, you’re sure you have her toward your front. Carry her changing table and and other similar body and Go! Go! Go! attention, move the toy to swing it gently so that equipment. These coordinate in a horizontal position Giddy-up, giddy-up, one side. Do slowly & w/her head in the elbow of baby will move his eyes kinds of toys seeing and giddy-up horsey, encourage baby to grab your right arm as she’s & head while being encourage baby to touching Giddy-up, giddy-up, for it. If she turns over, looking out. Place your right changed. In a few days, reach and kick. WHOA!” give her the toy to play arm under her head; your move the ribbon to a On “Whoa!” let baby slip with. Repeat on baby’s left different side of the softly through knees. other side. arm goes between her legs changer. and holds her side. Your hands will meet in front. Air Stream Hair Stylist Go Fish What Do You See? Moon & Sun Gel-O Bags Dough Bags Sensory Gently blow through a Following bright, Carry baby around the Place some yellow plastic drinking straw & Spoon hair gel into a zip colorful objects is a fun room and talk about all play dough in zip- and aim the airflow at baby’s closure bag & seal & important task for of the different pictures, closure bag and orange Art hand, arm or foot (not securely with tape. babies. Add a small fish colors and designs he in another. Help baby face.) The baby will Invite baby to use his bowl or tank to the infant can see. to pound & push the experience the feel of fingers to draw on the nursery. With baby in Stop at a window and dough through the bag. moving air; it is a bag. For variety, you your lap, follow the fish look outside. Describe Show the infant how to pleasant sensation for may wish to add confetti back & forth with your what you see. make a hole in the baby. Does it tickle? or a small amount of rice finger dough: “Ben, you to the gel before sealing. made a hole in the play dough!” Discoveries Old and New January 12th –January 16th , 2015 Lesson Plans for 3 – 6 Months Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday The Wheels Understanding Read to Me Did You Know? on the Bus Language Sing the classic nursery When a baby smiles, song "Pop! Goes the Read to each baby your first instinct is to Language Weasel," but highlight every day. smile right back. By Sing “The Wheels on the Research has found that a the element of surprise and Bus” and do all of the 4 month old baby can Try a few of these: doing so, you’re Music with sound effects and Peek a Boo Baby, Baby engaging a baby in one motions with the babies. understand all the basic actions. Start out softly Goal: Faces, I Loved You of his first Encourage them to try to sounds that make up her and slowly: "'Round and To practice Before You Were Born, conversations, motions with you. native language. Between 'round the cobbler's vocalizing Hello Baby, Welcome showing delight in his 4 and 6 months of age, bench, the monkey she’ll develop the ability Little Baby expression & chased the weasel, the reinforcing his smile! to make some of these monkey thought 'twas all sounds, so encourage this If baby is consistently in fun..." (then raise your smiled back at, he will by talking & singing voice to finish): "Pop! constantly. become even more goes the weasel." smiley & happy. Scarf Pull Soft Play Squeeze Toys Finger Wiggle Face Socks Play “This Little Piggy” Sew bright pieces of Gently pull a long scarf Locate a variety of soft, Locate some small, very with baby’s fingers. material in the shape or string across the palm interesting textures— soft toys that make noise Wiggle his fingers as of a face onto a sock. Fine of baby’s hand. especially blankets and when squeezed. Hold you say the rhyme and Slip the sock over Motor Encourage baby to close material scraps—for one up in front of baby clap his hands together baby’s hand and move Goal: his hands around the baby to hold and feel. and squeeze while she when you finish. it to get his attention. To practice the scarf and hold onto it. Consider lamb’s wool, watches. Give the toy to “This little piggy went Encourage him to ulnar grasp “Do you have my scarf velvet, satin, cotton, baby to play with & to to market, watch the sock & Niko? corduroy & flannel. Sit practice squeezing. This little piggy stayed touch the material. Hold on tightly or I’ll with baby on the floor home. “What have you got pull it away.” and explore these This little piggy had there, Abigail? Is that together. roast beef a silly face smiling at This little piggy had you? Can you get that none face?” This little piggy went Weee, all the way home. Ride A Horse Up Goes the Baby Move Me! The Lady Rides Up On My Arms Bounce baby on your lap With baby on lap, bounce Baby's ability to bear as you recite: Hold Baby in your arms When baby is very young & recite: weight on both arms is Ride a horse to Banbury and say: and can’t move around “This is the way the the first step to Gross Cross, Up, up, up goes the by himself, it is critical lady rides, crawling; it happens Motor To see a fine lady upon a baby. (Hold high in the that you change his Trippity-trip, Trippity- before learning to bear trip,Ttrippity-trip. Goal: white horse. air) position often. A good weight on the knees. With rings on her fingers Give a hug to baby. rule of thumb is to move This is the way the Place baby on her Strengthen the gentleman rides, upper and & bells on her toes, (Hug baby) a baby every 15 minutes tummy & get down on She shall have music Down, down, down goes so he doesn’t get bored Thumpety-thump, the floor facing her. lower arm Thumpety-thump, muscles wherever she goes. the baby. or tired of the same Encourage her to lift Bounce in a gentle & (Bring down close to activity or position. Thumpety-thump. up, bearing weight on steady rhythm & when ground) This is the way the both arms. you get to the word Give a hug to baby! farmer rides “goes,” lift baby into the Hobbledy-gee, air. Hobbledy-gee!” Ticking Away Personal Care Cup Talk Listen Softly Pictures Hide a fairly loud ticking Make the most of routine Gather several empty Babies are naturally clock behind your back care times (washing cups in a variety of sizes. Play soft music while interested in new & ask baby “What’s that baby’s face, combing her Talk into 1 cup at a time, baby is playing. things. Be sure to Sensory sound Rowen?” Bring it hair, etc.) by making repeating baby’s name Classical music is the change the pictures in and out to show the source of each a learning over & over. Baby will best. Baby’s brain cells the nursery often. Art the sound. Next, hide the experience. “I am going notice how unusual her are developing & Rather than cartoon clock under a blanket or to comb your pretty name sounds as it comes research indicates that pictures, include in a shoe placed close to black hair, Carson. Now from different cups. classical music helps pictures of real people baby. Help baby I’m going to use a Don’t stop here; make a w/its development. that show many discover where you hid washcloth and wipe off variety of noises & genders, ages and the ticking clock. your face.” sounds. cultures. Place these on low walls and on the floor; covering both with contact paper for durability. Discoveries Old and New January 19th – January 23rd, 2015 Lesson Plans for 3 - 6 Months Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Anticipation A Time for Coos! Early Conversations Did You Know? Crazy Hats Before beginning an When baby starts Take baby’s hand & run A baby who's ready to Locate a wide-ranging event such as giving producing sounds, repeat it gently over your face, play will usually look selection of odd items Language an infant a bottle, picking him up, or the sounds you hear her hair, eyes & nose, talking you in the eye. Frequent to put on your head. A and changing him, tell the make. Continue this about what you’re doing. eye contact adds spice baby will delight in Music infant what is going to through the entire Repeat—using your hand to any time spent you wearing a Goal: happen. Show baby sequence of coos, vowels on baby’s face. Watch playing with a baby. cardboard box, a To practice the bottle and say, and consonant-vowel carefully & repeat any When baby starts plastic bowl, a blanket vocalizing “Are you hungry? I combinations. By 6 sound the baby makes. looking away often, or or a wicker basket on have your bottle months, baby will take Respond enthusiastically fretting verbally, then your head. As you put ready. Do you want turns with you. This w/your attention, smiles it's time to quit playing each object on, make a it?” emphasizes to baby how & laughter. and start cuddling, or perplexed face at baby Then pause to give Baby time to respond. important his sounds are rocking, feeding, or and ask, "Do you like (Don’t expect him to & lays the groundwork whatever else it is that my hat?" Sit a baby in say “yes,” you are for turn-taking in baby wants to do. front of a mirror and giving him the time conversations. put the silly hats on and respect to her head. process information rather than just putting the bottle in his mouth.) . Small Muscle Toys Ribbon Wristband Bottle Feeding Time Grasp a Toy Eye Follow-Ups At each bottle feeding, Fine Check to insure that the Make a small wristband gently place baby’s Rub a small toy or Place a brightly fine-motor toys that are from elastic. Sew on hands around the bottle block across the palm of colored stuffed animal Motor available in your nursery (securely) several 2-3” as you hold it. This will baby’s hand for her to in front of baby’s eyes. Goal: are organized by the type pieces of orange & encourage baby to begin grasp. As she wraps her Slowly move it to the To practice the of toys they are on low, yellow ribbons. Slip the to grasp the bottle. fingers around it. Let left, then to the right, ulnar grasp open shelves and are band around baby’s wrist Provide encouragement her hold on to it. allowing baby’s eyes available for babies to & gently shake her hand when baby attempts to to follow it. Do for use freely. to get her attention. hold the bottle himself: only a few seconds. Encourage her to watch “Good job, Sam! You’re & pull on the ribbons. holding the bottle now.”

One, Two, Three Shoulder Walk This Looks Where’s The Light? Cradle Gym Time Take baby for a walk Interesting Place baby on her back Place baby about six Gross Place baby on his back around the classroom by on a soft rug or blanket inches below a cradle on a soft surface or placing him up with his Babies learn to use their and shine a flashlight gym (or a sturdy Motor pillow. Grasp baby’s head on your shoulder. muscles by pushing up, above her. Move the mobile if one is not Goal: hands & begin counting: Walk about the room, crawling, reaching or light slowly from side available.) Provide Strengthen the Are you ready to stand talking about the things looking around at the to side so that she has to lots of verbal upper and up Connor? Here we go! you see. Point to things things in their world. Be turn her head to track it. encouragement for lower arm One (drag the word out), that are above you so he sure to provide lots of Make very slow but baby: “You’re really muscles Two (as above), has to lift his head up to interesting things for wide circles of trying to reach the red Thrrreeeeeeee!! see them. Consider them to see & hear as movement so baby can ball, Sierra. Good for Gradually pull baby to a sitting under a window or this will encourage them also look up and down. you! You got it!” stand without letting go mobile. Change to move about. Oh look at the light, of his hands. shoulders to look in Anna. Are you different directions. watching it move?” Music Time Crepe Paper Listening and Did You Know? Foot Massage It is important to have a Streamers Answering Find several cloths of wide variety of musical New babies can see best differing materials and noise-making toys Cut several 6 – 8” green, Shake a bell or rattle for when toys, pictures and (satin, a bumpy Sensory available in the nursery. black & brown crepe baby to see and hear. mobiles are about 12” washcloth, faux fur) and Make a simple kazoo paper streamers. Tie When he responds by from their eyes. Strive and gently rub them Art using an empty paper these about the nursery: cooing, shake it again. to place all toys and over baby’s arms and towel tube. on chair & table legs, “Do you hear the rattle, decorations at this legs. Talk with him Cut a 6" circle from wax from shelves, etc. With Raymond? Let’s shake distance so all babies about what he is paper and rubber band it baby in your arm, get the bell again!” can enjoy them. feeling. securely over one end. close as she looks at “Does that feel soft To use it, make loud them & gently blow. Benjamin? Do you tooting sounds into the Talk with baby about like the fur on your open end. A baby will what she sees. toes?” certainly enjoy the sound it makes. Discoveries Old and New January 26th – January 30th, 2015 Lesson Plans for 3 - 6 Months Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday All Shook Up Roses Are Red Boom, Boom Upside Down Where Oh ”Shake baby’s hand Roses are red Grasp baby’s hands Using language Where? Language Shake it fast and then Violets are blue as she’s facing you picture cards look “Where is the shake it slow. while lying in your and Baby is so sweet at the pictures (object)? Where is Music Shake it high and And so is lap. Clap her hands in right side and shake it low. yours and clap them the (object)? Can Goal: Miss______too! then upside Shake it all around together. Say you find it? Can you To experience the , down. natural flow of Everywhere you go.” “Boom!” on each find it? Let’s pick it language patterns Baby Sign clap. Can you get her up. Thank you very “ to smile? Laugh? much! Baby Sign Play “Peek a Boo” “happy” “sad” Stacking Rings Be My Crinkle Newspaper Texture Heart Paper Cup Nesting With baby sitting Valentine Place several pieces Cut hearts from Sit on the floor with on your lap on the Cut a heart shape of newspaper in a heavy paper. Glue baby on your lap. floor, place rings from construction kiddie pool or similar on several different Place a stack of cups in and post on the paper or similar. tub. Place baby inside textures: sponge, front of you. Unstack Fine Motor & sit next to him or and restack the cups as Goal: floor in front of Dip baby’s hand or sandpaper, fabric. inside with him. baby watches. Talk Refine eye-hand you. Show the foot in nontoxic Sit with baby and Encourage baby to touch the hearts; about what you’re coordination child how to put the paint and place on the heart. pick up a piece of the talk about the doing rings on and take paper. Supervise different textures them off closely! Box Shakers Bike Ride Bean Bag Toss Pat-A-Cake Baby Balance Fill several small Place baby inside Obtain a bowl or Clap Support baby while he boxes with one or the middle of a bucket filled with a Pat-a-cake, pat-a- sits on your knees. Sway or rock gently & help Gross Motor two object that will hula hoop placed couple of beanbags. cake, baker’s man. on the floor. Put With baby on your baby practice balancing Goal: make noise when Bake me a cake as himself. With younger Strengthen upper- shaken (bells, rice, your hands under lap, dump the bucket fast as you can. baby, support the back & body muscles etc.) Close securely her feet & move on the floor. Pick up Pat it roll it and shoulders firmly; with with tape. Shake! her legs up & one at a time and toss mark it with a “B” older babies help him Shake! down, as if into the bucket, And put it in the support more of his own pedaling a bike holding on to baby’s oven for Baby & weight. Try moving your hand as you do so me! body other ways

Fun with Bubbles See Through Blob Heart Higher & Lower Spice Socks Maracas Creation Sounds In a baggie, place a Bring bubbles to the few cotton balls that Sensory Fill a water Place a heart- shaped When baby babbles, carpeted area. Place have been sprinkled and piece of paper on copy the sounds she babies on the floor bottle ¼ full of makes. Let her with spice or perfume. high chair tray. Art and sit down with large beans or babble again. What Place these cotton balls Squeeze a small blob Exploration them. Blow bubbles popcorn. Hot she do when the in a tube sock. Knot of paint in the center. into the air. Let glue very sounds you repeat are securely. Place baby’s hand in not quite the same? babies focus on them securely. Show paint. Try making the same Handprint Postcard and encourage them baby how to Hand Massage high or low tone but to reach for them. shake, shake, for BA BA say BEE shake. with Lotion BEE. Laugh