PLAY and reading aloud to your baby is important to start right away! Keep in mind, children are egocentric. That means children do not have the ability to differentiate between themselves and others. They think their thoughts and what they see, hear and feel are what every one else does too!
READ: Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz
For very young children, parents will need to ask AND answer the questions
Ask: Where are baby’s hands? Answer: I see baby’s hands! (Clap them together)
Ask: Where are baby’s feet? Answer: I see baby’s feet! (Touch baby’s feet)
Ask: Where is baby’s belly button? Answer: I see baby’s belly button! (Give baby a zerbert on their belly)
•For older babies/toddlers,
SING “Oh, Where Is Child’s Name body part?”
(tune: A Hunting We Will Go)
“Oh where is Child’s Name nose?
Oh where is ____’s nose?
Hi ho the cherry oh!
I see ____’s nose!” (touch child’s nose)
–variations for the last line:
2. Oh where is ____’s nose? …wait ’til child points to nose
3. I see (s)he found her/his nose! …child points to nose
·Substitute other body parts
Activity: Make Family & Me picture book
Fill an album with photos of baby with each member of your immediate and extended family.
READ: Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
• Use your Family & Me book (we named ours Everybody Loves Will and Everybody Loves Maverick following the precedent set by Will’s Mom. It started when she was a baby and I’s also sing: Everybody Loves Kelsey!)
• Show baby family pictures; sing appropriate verse and point out which person is Daddy, etc
Sing “Peek-a-Who?”
(tune: Where is Thumbkin?)
“Where is Daddy? Where is Daddy?
Where is he? Where is he?
Peek-a-boo! I found you!
Peek-a-boo! I found you!
Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo!”
·Repeat song, changing the person you a searching for
After reading and singing Peek-a-Who, you might want to transition into a game of peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo is does more for your baby than you might think.
I’d love to hear how your babies enjoyed the books and/or songs—feel free to share your comments or, better yet, a photo or two!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen