Explorations

Newborns and young infants differ in their biological rhythms and the manner in which they use their senses to explore the world. In the infant classroom activities= are to be dictated by the needs and temperament of the child. Activities need to fit the needs of individual children – not groups.&nb= sp; Babies learn through their five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell= and taste.

Babies use sounds, facial expressions, tears and movements to communicate their feelings and needs. Babies lo= ok, listen and respond to the people around them.&nbs= p; Babies will converse with adults and other babies. The prime source for exploration w= ill be the teachers. Teachers need t= o chat and coo with babies.

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Teachers need to stimulate babies and provide a balance of active and quiet play opportunities. Teachers are to provide different materials, texture, sounds and items for children to explore. The environment must= be organized with objects placed on low shelves with a variety of visual, tact= ile, auditory and physically challenging choices that can capture the baby’= ;s curiosity and encourage the baby to explore.

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Faces: Peoples faces are very interesting for young infants to explore.

Books: T= his is the time when an interest in books is flourishing. Board of soft books must be provid= ed for babies. Make books with photo= graphs of the babies, pictures of animals, etc.&n= bsp; Books must be available for children to get by themselves.

Toys: Appropriate rattles, squeeze toys, infant instruments, nesting toys, bright colored scarves, large plastic beads, dolls, wooden or plastic vehicles. <= o:p>

· = Young infan= ts need a variety of soft, washable, colorful toys and stuffed animals that ca= n be looked at or mouthed.

· = Older infan= ts need blocks, telephones, dolls, large manipulative toys, stacking toys, lar= ge duplos, stringing toys, puzzles, hammering toys, buil= ding toys, popping machines, push and pull toys and tracking toys.

· = Experience bottles: Sealed plastic bottles partially filled with solid or liquid materials. Small objects such= as rocks, paper clips, animals, glitter, sequins or beads may be put in them.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The bottles with liquid can have w= ater, colored water, oil or soap. <= b>Be sure all bottles are securely closed.&= nbsp;

· = All toys= must be put in the “dirty bin” immediately after they have been in contact with a child’s mouth, and all toys= must be washed and disinfected daily.

Real Objects: Cardboard boxes, wooden cigar boxes, candy tins,= cups, spoons, telephones, nesting bowls, flash lights (especially fun under a tab= le covered with a blanket), anything safe for infants.

Large Cartons: Crawl through the tunnel. Create a car, a train, a cave, etc= .

Dump and Fill: Provide different objects and put them in buckets. Babies love to dump everything out, and then fill them again.

Super Sock Activities: <= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Stuff socks, throw them in buckets, match different color socks.

Surprise Box: Put interesting objects into a box. Babies take objects out of the box= .

Sensory: W= ater, ice cubes, sponges, animals, cups, etc in a bin. Play dough at a toddler table. Finger paintin= g. Foot painting.= Crawling on te= xtured fabrics.

Clear Contact (sticky side out): Round the corners of photographs so babies can have an interactive photo gallery.

Peek A Boo: Take a blanket, cover your face and say, “= peek a boo”.

Hide An Object: Show the baby an object, and then = cover it with a blanket and say, “all gone”.

Balls: V= aried sizes, colors, and textures. = Crumpled paper balls.

Baby Basket Ball: Throw balls into a basket.

Scarves: W= ave scarves around and give babies scarves to play with.

Busy Bee: Touch a baby with your finger and in an engaging= voice say, “busy bee is going to touch your tummy…bzzzzz.” Do it with different body parts. <= o:p>

Magic Mirror: Play with the baby in front of a mirror. Sing, make faces, put hats on, etc= .

Make Faces: Look at the baby, smile and wink, = open and shut your mouth.

<= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Footsie Fun: Play feet clapping.

Shoe Fun: Provide many pairs of shoes. Talk about “same and different”.

Obstacle Course: Over the bridge and through the tu= nnels, crawl around pillows, stuffed animals, soft blocks, chairs, etc.=

Musical Instruments or Rain Sticks:&nbs= p; Play with safe instruments or woode= n rain sticks.

Baby Food Jar Lids Strung Together: Drill holes in the tops of baby= food jars. String them together. Make sure there are no sharp edges= from the holes.

Play Music From Different Cultures and Dance: A= sk families to send in music that they enjoy at home.

Special Songs to Sing With Babies:

If Your Happy And You= Know It

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap the baby’s hands)

Repeat

If you’re happy and you know it and you re= ally want to show it

If you’re happy and you know it clap your = hands.

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Put Your Fin= ger (tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)<= o:p>

I’ll put my = finger on your nose, on your nose

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That’s where= the north wind blows

I’ll put my = finger on your nose, on your nose.

Verses:=

On your chin, that= ’s where the soup slips in

On your hair, you&= #8217;ll grow and learn to share

On your ear, that&= #8217;s where you hear

On your tummy, that’s where the food is yummy

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Joy Song (tu= ne of Rubber Ducky)

Little Susie joy o= f joys

When I tickle you,= you make noise

Little Susie, I= 217;m awfully fond of you

Voo, voo, voo, voo, voo, voo, voo, voo

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This Little = Piggy

This little piggy = went to market, (touch the big toe)

This little piggy = stayed home, (touch the second toe)

This little piggy = had roast beef, (touch the next toe)

This little piggy = had none, (touch the baby toe)

And this little pi= ggy cried, “Weeeeeee!” all the way home (tickle the baby’s stomach).

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Head, Should= ers, Knees and Toes

Head, shoulders, k= nees and toes, (repeat)

Eyes and ears and = mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, k= nees and toes

Knees and toes.<= /p>

Verses:=

Head, shoulders, e= yes, elbows

Head, shoulders, e= ars and feet

(touch and say any body part).

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