Archive for the ‘Infant Activities’ Category

Sensory Ball Fun for all Ages

Posted on: September 24th, 2011 by Tiny Toes 1 Comment


Sensory/Texture balls are great for all those little toes – from infants to toddlers to big kids!

BABIES Put on some soothing music [we love Baby Einstein] and lay your baby on his or her back. Gently roll small sensory balls on your baby’s body, especially the feet! This is great tactile stimulation. Stimulating your baby’s senses can help improve your baby’s curiosity, attention span, memory, and nervous system development. In addition, many babies who receive appropriate stimulation reach developmental milestones faster and have better muscle coordination.

TODDLERS Toddlers are always on the move and ready for a movement activity. You can do so many activities with the smaller sensory balls such as throwing, catching, rolling and kicking – with the extra added bonus of tactile stimulation. Use a large sensory ball and have your little one roll on his or her belly back and forth. This will help with balance, core strength, spatial perception, and trust!

KIDS Older kids can really improve core strength, balance and shoulder girdle strength by rolling on a large sensory ball and then walking their hands out. The key is to keep the belly and legs tight (pretend they have a chocolate chip in their belly button and between their knees and they can’t let it drop.) Kids can walk forwards and backwards keeping their body in a straight line.

I have included a link to Amazon below where you can easily purchase sensory balls. I love this set because it comes with two different sizes.

Tunnel Fun!!

Posted on: June 22nd, 2011 by Tiny Toes No Comments

Tunnels are a wonderful, fun, activity for kids from the time they can crawl up until around 5 years old. My 2 year old loves his and has been using it since he was 7 months! Not only is it fun for them and a great way to pass the time but crawling through tunnels actually helps kids develop spatial perception which is essential for distinguishing letters. How cool is that!!

We have been using tunnels in our Tiny Toes classes for years and it is one of every child’s favorite activities! You can use it as a stand alone activity or you can add it to an obstacle course. No matter how you use it, kids are sure to have a blast! We love clear tunnels for little ones so they can see you while they are inside. It gives them the security they need to accomplish their goal of crawling through! Have fun!

If you want to purchase a tunnel for your lil’ one, check out this fabulous tunnel from Amazon!

You Are My Sunshine Mommy Stretch

Posted on: March 8th, 2010 by Caryn No Comments

If you are like most moms you probably have some soreness or tightness in your back and shoulders from carrying your baby and bending over to change diapers, putting your baby in the carseat and crib, etc. This activity provides you with a much needed stretch and a fun time for baby!

Lay baby on his or her back on a blanket on the floor. Sit down by baby’s feet in a straddle position facing him or her. Sing You Are my Sunshine while stretching.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You keep me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Lean towards your right leg and hold the stretch for 10 seconds. Lean forward and kiss your baby’s belly and hold your stretch in the middle for 10 seconds. Switch to your left side tickling baby as you come across and hold for 10 seconds.

Repeat at least 3 times or until you feel nice and stretched.

This Is the Way We

Posted on: February 23rd, 2010 by Caryn No Comments

This  is a great song to sing at bathtime or anytime! I started doing this with my son as soon as he was born and he still loves it at 9 months. Sing the song to the tune of wheels on the bus.

Sing the following song as you give baby a bath.

“This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face all day long. We wash our face to keep it clean. We wash our face you know what I mean. We wash our face oh yes we do. We wash our face, how about you?”

Repeat the song using: arms, neck, shoulders, back, hands, legs, feet, hair, etc. It familiarizes them with the names of their body parts and provides a calming routine to bathtime.

Now that my little guys is moving all over the place I also sing this song to change his diaper. It’s the only way to keep him still!

“This is the way we change our diaper, change our diaper, change our diaper. This is the way we change our diaper all day long. We change our diaper to keep us clean. We change our diaper you know what I mean. We change our diaper oh yes we do. We change our diaper. How about you?

You can use this song for any activity you do and they love it!

Songs

Posted on: February 22nd, 2010 by Caryn No Comments

Most of our infant activities utilize well known children’s songs. If you are not familiar with the tune you can usually find the songs on itunes or youtube. Have fun with these activities!

Tony Chestnut

Posted on: February 22nd, 2010 by Caryn No Comments

Tony Chestnut

Lay baby on his or her back, sing softly to them while touching each body part. This helps teach body awareness and promotes bonding! 

“Toe Knee Chest Nut” Touch baby’s toe, knee, chest and head.

“Knows I love you” Point to your own eyes, cross arms over your chest and point to baby”

“Toe, Knee, Nose” Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose

“Toe, Knee, Nose” Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose

“Toe, Knee, Chest, Nut”  Touch baby’s toe, knee, chest and head

“Knows I love you” Point to your own eyes, cross arms over your chest and point to baby”

“That’s what Toe, Knee, Nose” – Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose

Repeat as many times as you like!

Newborn Games

Posted on: February 22nd, 2010 by Caryn No Comments

Newborn GamesBond with your baby as you stimulate development and have tons of fun with these newborn games! 

Wheels on the Bus

While your baby is laying on his or her back gently manipulate their body to the words of Wheels on the Bus. This helps your baby learn to move their limbs and helps to build muscle memory. And of course they love hearing your voice! 

“The wheels of the bus go round and round” – Circle baby’s legs around like they are riding a bicycle

“The doors on the bus go open and shut” – Hold baby’s hands and open their arms wide and then bring them back in

“The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish” – Gently bend baby’s knees into their tummy and rock back and forth from side to side

“The gas on the bus goes glug, glug, glug” – Gently bend baby’s knees into tummy and straighten them out. Repeat.

“The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink” – holding baby’s hands raise their arms up above their head and bring down to rest on their thighs

“The mommy on the bus says I love you” – kiss baby!