DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES BIRTH TO 3 MONTHS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Developing a Routine — Develop a regular routine for caring for your baby. Have meals, baths, naps, and bedtime at about the same time each day. As your baby gets older, change the routine to meet your baby’s changing needs, Feelings of Security and Love ~ When your baby is fussy, try to find and fix the eause. Pick up your baby and talk to him or her in a soft, soothing, ear- ing tone. Hold, hug, and cuddle your baby often. Carry your baby with you as much as you can as you go about your home, Responding to Cries — Respond right away when your baby cries. Crying is a baby’s only way of telling you something is wrong. You will not “spoil” your baby by picking it up when it cries. Smiling — Smile often at your baby, especially when your baby smiles at you. Make happy sounds and talk to your baby when you smile, Observing — Carry your baby around in a cuddled “sitting” position and show him or her things such as lights or brightly-colored objects. Prop your baby up often (such as in an infant seat or swing) so (s)he can see what goes on around him or her. Imitating — Watch what your baby does and imitate his or her activities, faces, or movements. Your baby will try to imitate you Rocking — To soothe your baby and relax yourself, roek your baby in a rocking chair. Hold your baby close enough so (s)he ean touch your face with his or her hands. As you hold your baby, show love and affection by touch and tone of voice. Bedtime — Sometimes, sing quietly to your baby before bed, or rock your baby to sleep. Lifting Head — Put your baby on his or her stomach. Dangle a bright toy in front of your baby or make happy sounds from in front of him or her so (s)he will} learn to lift his or her head. ($)He will gradually use both arms to push up his or her head and chest. Rolling Over — Encourage your baby to roll over. Get him or her to look at a favorite object while you slowly move i from one side to the other, At first, you may need to help by gently pulling your baby’s top Tag across his or her body. When yoiur baby rolls over, smile and show affection. (Be eareful that the baby doesn't fall from a bed, changing table, or other height while you do this.) Holding Head Steady — Hold your baby in a sitting position often so that (s)he will learn to hold his or her| head steady. ‘© Copyright 1987, W.K. Frankenburg © 2008, Wilhelmine R Frankenburg Watching Moving Objects — Babies like to watch faces, bright patterns, and brightly colored objects. Get your baby to look at your face, a picture of a face, the soft light from a small flashlight, or a colorful object (such as a red mitten). Move your face or the object slowly in different directions to see how far your baby will watch it. Grasping — Put a small rattle or other object into your baby’s hand and watch him or her take hold of it. This is due to a reflex. As your baby grows older, ()he will try to hold small objects that are touched to the back or tip of the fingers. (Be careful that the object eannot hurt or choke your aby.) Feeling and Touch — Let your baby feel different textures, such as stuffed animals, plastic toys, or pieces of terry cloth, rubber, ete. (Since your baby may put the objects in his or her mouth, be sure they are not too smalll and that pieces cannot be torn off and swallowed.) ‘Talking — Talk to your baby often each day, during dressing, feeding, bathing, and household chores. ‘Your baby is never too young to be talked to. Imitating Sounds — Imitate your baby’s cooing, Jabbering sounds. Later, (s)he will learn to repeat the ‘sounds that you make. Awareness of Sounds — Let your baby hear many different sounds, such as music, radio, TV, and telephone bells. Also make sounds with a rattle, squeeze toy, or bell. See how your baby responds to these different sounds. Quiet Times — Babies need some quiet time to babble, play, and explore their world, so don't leave a radio, TV, or stereo on for long periods of time. Instead, provide quiet time for your baby each day. Revision, July 1988 All previous 0-3 months DDAs should be withdrawn from use.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 3 TO 6 MONTHS These activities are designed to hel Activities to continue: — Soothe and calm your baby when (s)he is fussy, and respond promptly to cries — Smile and talk to your baby often. —Rock and love your baby, and sometimes sing or rock him or her to sleep. - Prop your baby up so (s)he can see what goes on around him or her. Massage — To relax your baby, sometimes gently rub his or her back, arms, or legs. Bathing — Run a shallow bath of warm (not hot) water. Hold your baby firmly so (s)he will feel secure, and let him or her splash, kick, and enjoy a bath. Never leave your baby alone near water, even shallow water. Playing Peek-A-Boo ~ Play “peek-a-boo” with your baby. Hold a magazine or piece of paper between your face and the baby, or peek around the baby’s crib or a door. Another way to play this game is to cover your baby’s face with a diaper and to say “peek-a-boo” as you remove the diaper. The main thing is to keep the baby from seeing your face for a moment, then have your happy face re-appear suddenly. Looking in Mirrors — At this age, babies like to look at themselves in mirrors. Let your baby see her- ar himself either in a small, mirfor that will not break, or in the bathroom mirror. Working to Get a Toy — Put a favorite toy just out of reach of your baby. Bounce the toy in front of your baby and talk to him or her so (s)he will work to get the toy. Don't keep it out of reach so long that your baby gets upset. ‘Activities to continue: ~ ‘Talk to your baby often as you dress, feed, or bathe him or her, and imitate cooing, jabbering sounds {he makes, — Continue to let your baby hear many different sounds. — Provide some quit time when the radio and TV are not on Locating Sounds — Try to get your baby to turn his or her head toward sounds. At first, you may need to gently turn your baby's face toward a sound. Or you may take the baby toward the radio, TV, or telephone from which a sound is coming. Imitating Speech Sounds —As you talk to your baby, repeat some sounds often and try to get him or her to say them back. “Da-da” and “ma-ma” sounds are usually easy sounds for a baby to imitate, although they do not have any meaning at this age. (© Copyright 1987, W.K. Frankenburg © 2008, Withalmine Fi. Frankenburg| sour child with the following basic skills: ‘Activities to continue: — Encourage your baby to raise his or her head and push up on the arms to watch what is happening around him or her. ~ Try to get your baby to roll over from stomach to back and from back to stomach Bearing Weight — Hold your baby upright under the arms. Slowly lower your baby until his or her feet touch the table, bed, or your lap. Try to get your baby to bounce up and down and take some weight on her or his legs. Developing Head Control — To make your baby's neck muscles stronger, take his or her hands and wrists when (s)he is lying on his or her back. Slowly pull your baby up into a sitting position. If (he has, little head control, do not try this again until (s)he hhas more neck strength. Sitting — Help your baby sit up alone. Start by having your baby sit in a corner of a couch or chair which prevents falling over. While (s)he is in that position, help your baby hold smalll toys with the hands. When your baby can sit well propped up, encourage him or her to sit up on a blanket on the floor without back support. Activities to continue: — Try to get your baby to follow faces or bright objects with his or her eyes. ~ Let your baby feel many different textures. — Let your baby explore bits of cereal or smail crumbs placed on the table in front of him or her. Looking at Small Objects — Hold your baby on your lap at the table and drop a small object on the table in front of him or her. This can be a small bit of food, such as a pea. You ean also roll the object on the table to see if your baby watches it. (Be careful that your baby doesn't put the small object into his, or her mouth if (s)he might choke on it.) Holding On — Put a rattle or other small toy into your baby’s hand, and pull on it gently to teach him or her to hold onto things. Using Both Hands — Put a toy or other object in your baby's hand and see if (s)he changes it to the other hand, Also try to get you baby £0 hold two objects - one in each hand - at the same time. At first, you may need to place something in one hand and then try to get him or her to pick up a second toy with the hand (s)he uses most often. Picking Up Small Objects — Help teach your baby to pick up small objects, such as crumbs or small bits of food. (When your baby can do this, be sure to keep pills and other small, harmful things out of your baby’s reach.)DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 9TO 12 MONTHS: ‘These activities are designed to help your child with the following basie skills: Activities to continue: - Hug and cudille your baby often, + Soothe and calm your baby when (s)he is fusey. ~ Smile and talk to your baby often. = Rock and love your baby, and sometimes sing or rock. him or her to sleep. ~ Play social games such as “bye-bye,” “pat-a-cake” with your baby. Drinking From a Cup —Help your baby learn to hold a cup and drink from it. A small plastic cup without a ‘over and mouth hole is good to start with. Put only a small amount of liquid into the cup at first. Since a lot of the liquid may be spilled at first, you may want to begin by giving your baby water in a cup while (s)he is outside. Meals With Family — Your baby can join in your fam- ily’s meals. Have your baby sit near the family for a short time during meals. Getting Toy Out of Reach — Show your baby how to pull a toy. You ean make a pull toy with a shoebox and a string. (To avoid the danger of choking, be sure to keep toys with long strings put away when you cannot be watching your baby’s play.) Activities to continue: = Talk to your baby a lot and respond to the sounds (sJhe makes, Look at picture books with your child often, and name the picture you see, - Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on, Puppets — Buy puppets or make them from old mittens or socks by drawing faces with marking pens. Pretend the puppet is talking to your baby and get your baby to talk back to the puppet. Nursery Rhymes and Songs — Sing songs and read nursery rhymes to your baby often, Scrapbook — Make a scrapbook of pictures of things such as a ball, animals, ete., from old magazines. As you look at the scrapbook with your baby, help him or her point to the pictures as you name them. Try to get your baby to repeat your words. Ct 97, WK rer 2008 Acti ~ Help your baby put small objects into a container and take them out again. - Encourage play with bathtub toys, - Give your baby chances to pick up food and feed him- or herself. At first, this may be done with dry cereal, crackers, or cookies. ities to continue: Stacking Blocks and Toys — Show your baby how to stack large blocks. (These can be made from milk car- tons, by folding and taping heavy cardboard, or by using ‘old pieces of lumber.) Other things that can be stacked are small empty cans, or toys such as the tower ring. Kitchen Play — Let your child play in the kitehen while you cook, Have one low drawer or eabinet in the kitchen that is just for your child. ‘This should not be near the stove. In the drawer or cabinet put plastic con. ‘tainers, lids, spoons, and other safe kitchen objects that will not break Activities to continue: - Help your baby walk with (or without) support. - Encourage getting toys out of reach by crawling or walking to them. Provide push or pull toys for your baby to play with. Playing Ball — Roll a ball to your baby and get him or her to roll or toss it back to you. A large ball will be easier for your baby to play with at first. Slowly play with different sizes. Do not use balls small enough for your baby to put in the mouth and choke on, Do not use balloons, Stooping — While your baby is standing up, put a toy on the floor. Get him or her to bend over and pick up the toy without holding on to anything. Starting to Learn to Walk — Try to get your baby to walk a fow steps without hanging on to anything. Make a game of having your baby walk into your arms to get a toy or a hug and your praise. If your baby is not yet ready to walk alone, wait for a few weeks and then try it again.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 6 TO 9 MONTHS: These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: = Talk to your baby a lot as you go about your daily activities. - Expose your baby to a variety of sounds, and help him or her try to locate them. - Imitate the sounds your baby makes and try to get your baby to make the sounds back to you. ~ Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on. Picture Books — Clet books from the local library or store, or make your own with bright pictures from old ‘magazines. Cloth books are best since the pages cannot ‘be torn; these can also be mace at home from seraps of ‘material and pietures eut from magazines. Point to and name pictures as your baby looks at them. Look at books for only a few minutes at a time, but do it every day. Activities to continue: - Hold your baby in a standing position, and try to get him or her to bounce up and down, - Help your baby to sit alone. ~ Gently pull your baby into a sitting position when, (phe is lying on his or her back. Pulling to Stand — When your baby is in the aib, try to get him or her to pull up to stand, Later, try to get your baby to pull toa stand on a coffee table, chair, or ‘other heavy piece of furniture. Walking Holding On — When your baby is standing, hold a favorite toy just out of reach. Try to get your baby to walk along the crib or furniture to get to the toy. raise your baby's efforts. Crawling — Place a toy out of reach and encourage ‘your baby to try to get the toy by erawiing on hands and knees. ‘Scope WH Frntotrg S208 Witenes Activities to continue: ~ Encourage your baby to feed him- or herself with fingers - Try to get your baby to use both hands to pick up objects. Feeding Him- or Herself — Give your baby chances to pick up food and feed him- or herself. At first, this may be done with dry cereal, crackers, or cookies. Putting Objects in Containers — Show your baby hhow to drop things (such as clothes pina, emall toys, Keys, ‘etc. into a container made from coffee cans, cottage ‘cheese cartons, ete. After (s)he has put objects into the container, show your child how to dump them out and them put them in again. (Be sure the things are not so small that-your baby can choke on them.) Drumming — Get an empty coffee can with a plastic top, or tape shut an empty oatmeal box to make a “drum.” Show your baby how to hit the drum with a stick or wooden spoon to make a sound. Seribbling — Hold your baby on your lap at a table, and put a large erayon or a water-based felt tip pen in his or her hand. Show your baby how to scribble on a big piece of paper (like a brown shopping bag). Bath Toys — Make floating toys from closed milk car- tons or small plastie tubs with lids. Let your baby play with the floating toys, as well as plastic cups, ete., while in the bathtub. (Never leave your baby alone in water.) Noisemakers — Show your baby how to bang two small toys, suet as blocks, together to make noise. ‘Toy Hide and Seek — Show your baby how to find a toy by pulling a cloth or blanket off of a partly hidden toy. As (s)he learns how to play the game, cover the toy alll the way up, and Jet your child find the toy by him- or her- self. Activities to continue: = Hug and cuddle your baby often, ~ Soothe and calm your baby when (s)he is fussy. ~ Smile and talk to your baby often. Rock and love your baby, and sometimes sing him or her to sleep. ~ Play “peek-a-boo” and Jet your baby see him- or her- self in a mirror. Social Games — Teach your baby games such as “bye- bye,” “pat-a-cake,” “how big is the baby,” etc. As you say the words, move your baby's hands. When (s)he seems to, understand the games, try to get your baby to move his ‘or her own hands when you say the words.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 12'TO 15 MONTHS ‘These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: — Soothe and calm your child when (he is fussy — Hug and cuddle your child often. ~ Rock and love your ehild, and sometimes sing or rock him or her to sleep. — Play social games, such as “pat-a-cake,” “so big,” ete. Imitating Housework ~ While you are dusting, sweeping, or doing other housework, get your child to pretend to do it, too. Give your child a dust cloth, toy broom, ete Undressing — Show your child how to pull off his or hier clothes. At first, you may have to help by unbutton- ing buttons and loosening shoe laces. Feeding Self - Show your child how to use a spoon. ‘Let your child feed him- or herself soft foods (such as applesauce or mashed potatoes). Caring for a Doll ~ Give your child a plastic or rub- ber doll that can be washed. Show him or her how to feed and love and take care of the doll. Outings — Take your child to places such as a 200, ‘museum, airport, and playground often, Talk about things you see. Acti ~ Encourage drawing and play with bathtub toys and stacking toys. ies to continue: ~ Help your child put small objects into a container and take them out again. Block Games~ Buy blocks or make them from pieces of wood (available at a lumber yard). Show your ehild how to stack the blocks, line them up, and play with them, In and Out— Show your child how to put things into containers such as pots, jars, and milk cartons. Then have him or her dump them out and start over again. Nesting — Show your child how bowls, measuring cups and containers of different sizes (like those butter or cot- tage cheese comes in) can be stacked up or nested inside of each other. Be sure these nesting toys will not break. Drawing — While you are working in the kitchen, spread chopping bags on the table or floor. Let your baby “draw pictures’ with crayons or water-based feit tip pens. (Ovin.K Frtrbu MD, 1078, 186, a9 Evang Friar 2009 Activities to continue: ~ ‘Try to get your child to walk alone. = Play ball with your child. Pull Toys — When your child is able to walk without, holding on to anything, give him or her a toy to pull while (he walks, Most children like pull toys that make sounds, Walking Backwards — Once your child has learned to walk without holding onto anything, show him or her how to take steps backwards. Pull toys will encourage your child to take backward steps while watching the toy. Walking Up and Down Steps ~ When your child ‘can craw] up and down steps, show him or her how to walk up holding on to the wall or stair rail. Be sure to be with your child when (s)he is first trying to walk up or down steps. Walking on Tiptoes ~ Show your child how to walk on tiptoes. Get him or her to try it by playing “follow the leader” around the room, Catching/Throwing ~ Show your child how to eatch a Jarge ball, and how to throw it back to you. When (s)he can throw the large ball, show your child how to throw a smaller ball or beanbag overhand, Activities to continue: —Talk to your child a lot, and try to get him or her to talk to you. ~ Listen and talk back to your child when (s)he talks to you. — Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on. — Look at and read picture books to your child, giving him or her a chance to point to the pictures as you name them. Imitating Words — As you talk to your baby during your day, say key words that (s)he knows (milk, cookie, a pet's name, etc.). Try to get him or her to say them hack. ‘When (he says a word, praise him or her, say the ward again, and try to get him or her to say the word(s) again. Rhythm Makers ~ Make noisemakers for your child from pie tins, rattles, or pieces of broom handles. Help your child make his or her own music by hitting these together ‘Talking —Help your child learn to talk by having him or her name things you see as you take walks or go on drives. Have your child ask for things (s)he wants with ‘words instead of pointing to them. Naming Body Parts — As you bathe and dress your baby, point to the parts of his or her body, name them, and get your baby to say the words,DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 15 TO 18 MONTHS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: — Soothe and calm your child when (s)he is fussy. — Hug and cuddle your child often, — Rock and love your child, and sometimes sing or rock: him or her to sleep, — ‘Try to get-your child to undress with little help — Play games such as hide-and-seek with your child, — Plan frequent outings with your child to a play- ‘ground, 700, airport, museum, etc. Include your child in family meals. Hugging and Kissing — Hug and kiss your child often, and try to get him or her to bug and kiss you back. Picking Up Toys/Helping Around House — Teach ‘your child to pick up and put away his or her toys, clothes, ete. At first, you may have to pick up most of | them, but with time, (@)he will pick up more and more with your help. Your child can also learn to help set the table and do other simple things around the house. Parents’ Group — Ask a small group of friends who have children the age of your child to get together every 0 often. The children ean play together while the par- ents talk about bringing up children. New Games — Be ready to play when your child starts a game, Show your child how to play games auch as tag, chase, “ring around the rosie, Playing Hide and Seek — Hide, and have your child look for you. At first, make it easy to find you. As your child gets better at the game, make it harder to find you. Activities to continue: — Encourage playing with blocks and nesting toys, and rawing with crayons, felt tip pens, and finger paints. Blowing — Teach your child how to blow soap bubbles. ‘Talk about how the bubbles look and fee. ‘Stringing — Show your child how to string things such as empty spools, large buttons, macaroni, ete., on long shoelaces or heavy string. Activities to continue: — Provide some quict time when the radio and TV are not on, — Look at books and read to your child each day. — Sing songs and nursery rhymes to your child. ~ Talk to your child a lot and describe what you see and do in short sentences. — Try to get your child to use words to tell you what @he wants. Conversations ~ When your child asks for something using only one word, such as “milk,” tell him or her how to say, “I want some milk, please.” Praise him or her when (s)he puts words together. Language — Look at picture books and magazines often with your child, Ask him or her to tell you something about the story and pictures, ‘Telephone Play — Give your child a toy telephone (or make “telephones” from toilet paper rolls or milk car- tons). Play games such as “calling Grandma’ or “calling Daddy at work.” Naming ~ At the grocery store, name foods as you selec them. Try to got your child to name them before you do, Activities to continue: — Encourage walking on tiptoes, backwards, and up and down stairs. — Play ball with your child. Playground Activities — Show your child how to play (on swings, climbing equipment, and so on, either on a backyard swing set or in a park. Stay with your child while he or she plays on this equipment until your child is older. Water Play — Lot your child play in water in the bath- tub, in a wading pool, or in the garden sprinkler. Give him or her plastic cups and containers to pour from, Never leave your child alone even around very shallow water, Kickball — Show your child how to kick a large ball toward “pins” to knock them down, Balls can be made from large wads of newspaper or rags, and empty milk cartons or coffee cans can be used for the “pins.” Rocking Horse — Children this age love to play on a rocking horse. Be sure that the horse cannot be easily tipped over.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 18 TO 24 MONTHS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: — Encourage your child to play with blocks and nesting, toys, and to draw with erayons, water-based felt tip pens, and finger paints. Identifying Sizes and Shapes — Cut holes of different sizes and shapes into the top of a shoe box. Give your child things to put through these holes. Puzzles — Give your child simple puzzles with only two or three pieces. These can be bought or made by pasting a picture on apiece of eardboard and cutting i into large apes. ‘Modeling Dough — Give your child “play clay” and show him or her how to pull, pound, and squeeze it into different shapes. Modeling dough can be bought or made. (Mix 1 tablespoon of salad oil with cup of water, ‘then stir in 2 cups of flour and 3/4 cup of salt. Add food coloring if you want, and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator) Activities to continue: — Sing songs and tell nursery rhymes to your child. ‘Try to get your child to join in = Talk to your child a lot, using short sentences, and read to your child each day. — Encourage your child to tell you about things that (he does and sees, — Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on. Television — Let your child see quality TV programs for children, Limit watching to no more than 1/2 to 1 hour per day. Watch TV with your child, and talk about what you sce together. Following Directions — As you talk to your child, begin to give such directions as, “Bring me the red sock,” or “Put your cup on the table.” If you need to show your child what to do, describe it in simple words. Picture Books — Look at books and magazines often with your child. Try to get him or her to tell you what is, happening in the pictures you look at together. Activities to continue: — Encourage your child to run; walk on tiptoes; play in water; kick, throw, and catch a large ball; and walk up and down stairs Jumping — Show your child how to jump, getting both feet off the floor at the same time. This is different than jumping off a low step. If your child needs help, hold hands for a few jumps. Or let your child try to jump over something like a small washcloth. Balancing — Show your child how to stand first on one foot and then the other. (S)He may need to hold on to ‘your hand or a chair when (s)he first tries this. Try to get him or her to turn loose and balance longer and longer each time you play this game. Riding Toys — Let your child try riding toys of difforent types. Begin with toys that are pushed along by the child?s fect on the ground. Moving to Music — Young children love to move to music. Show your child how to swing, elap, and “dance” as you enjoy music together. Activities to continue: — Hug and cuddle your child often. — Plan outings with your child to stores, playgrounds, ‘2008, airporis, ete. — Soothe and calm your child when (s)he is fussy. — Try to get your child to undress without help, to pick up toys, and to help with simple household chores. — Encourage self-feeding with spoon and fork, and include your child in family meals. Cooperation — Show your child that cooperating with others can be fun, Build with blocks, ice a cake, or put train tracks together. Buttoning — Give your child a “button, zipper, and. snap” book or toy. Or give your child old clothes that have large buttons, zippers, etc. Show your child how to fasten the items, Interactive Games —Try to get-your child to play games with another child such as “house” and “hide and seek.” This way (s)he will learn how to take turns with others, Playing House —Make a play house for your child. Cut out windows and doors from a large cardboard bos, such as a box that held a stove, or something big. Dressing — Let your child put on any of his or her own clothing that (@)he can. As (s)he learns to do this, slowly give less help. ‘Separating — Begin to let a neighbor or relative watch him or her for short periods of time. This will help your child learn that you will return for him or her.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 2TO 3 YEARS These acti Activities to continue: = Continue reading to your child, and be sure that your child sees you reading books. This give the message that you think reading is important. — Encourage your child to tell you about what you see in books as well as what you see when you are out for a walk or ride. — Help select TV programs. Watch with your child no ‘more than one hour per day. Remember that many things shown on TV can be frightening to a small child (even news programs). Talk about these pro- grams with your child, and about what is real and what is not. ‘Name — Teach your child to say his or her first and last, name. One way to start teaching itis to say the full name of your ehild very softly, and ask your child to say it softly back to you. Stories About Your Child — Children love to hear sto- ries about themselves. Tell stories about your child based on real events, or on make believe. Naming Objects — When you are dressing your child, name pieces of clothing. Let your child find each thing you name and say the name back to you. Prepositions/Colors/Opposites — When you talk to your child, use phrases that deseribe things. Examples are, “Put on your red sweater,” “Your big ball is under the table,” and “The little blue truck is behind the chair.” Activities to continue: = Encourage climbing, running, jumping, balancing, and playing ball. Obstacle Course — Have your child play “follow the Teader” and crawl, tiptoe, bunny hop, etc., under tables, around chairs, and over pillows. Broad Jump — Try to get your child to jump with both feet together. Put an old towel on the floor for him or her to try to jump across. Or draw lines in the dirt with a stick or on the sidewalk with chalk. Bouncing and Catching — Show your child how to bounce a large ball to you. Then bounce it back to him or her so that (s)he ean catch it 2s are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: — Encourage play with puzzles, blocks, nesting toys, and drawing materials. Sorting — Give your child an empty egg carton to use for “pockets” and have him or her sort things such as coins, different kinds of buttons, different colors, etc. Begin this game using only two different kinds of things. ‘Add more as your child learns to match and sort. Matching Pictures and Objects — Show your child how to match pictures with real things, such as matching a picture of a ball with a real ball. Talk about their shapes, what they are used for, and so on, Number Concepts — Show your child how to group things in ones, twos, threes, and so on. ‘Tell your child how many there are in a group and help him or her to count them, (‘Here are three beans. Let's count them. One, two, three”) Kindergarten Blocks — Buy a set of large kinder- garten blocks. Your child will play with them for many years. As your child gets older, you can add to the set. Drawing a Face/Shapes — Show your child how to draw shapes such as eitcles, lines, and so on, Use water- based felt tip pens, crayons, ete. Also show your child how to draw a face. Activities to continue: — Hug and cuddle your child often, — Soothe and calm your child when (s)he is upset by holding and talking to him or her. ~ Plan frequent outings with your child to a play- ground, store, 200, ete — ‘Try to get your child to wash and dry him- or herself with less and less help, to put on his or her own. clothes, and to help with simple household chores. Dressing Up — Let your child dress up in old adult. clothes. Give your child hats, dresses, shoes, ete., and let hhim or her choose the ones to play with, Dressing — ‘Try to get your child to dress without any help from you. If you let your child choose his ar her own clothes, (shhe will want to get dressed without asking for help.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 3TO 4 YEARS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basie skills: Activities to continue: ~ Let your child play with harder puzzles and building toys, and encourage him or her to draw harder pic- tures and designs. ~ Continue matching and sorting games with your child. Cutting — Buy safety scissors and show your child how to use them. Give him or her large, simple pictures to practice cutting out. Story Scrapbooks — Help your child make scrapbooks by drawing pictures or cutting pictures from magazines and catalogs. Show your child how to put them in an, order to make a story. Then let your child glue the pic. tures onto sheets of paper, and write your ehild’s story under the pictures, Textured Collages — Help your child find different objects, like pieces of different kinds of cloth, wallpaper, and pictures from magazines. Let your child glue the things onto a piece of cardboard or heavy paper. Hang the picture in your child's room. Sewing Cards — Cut a picture out of a magazine and glue it to a piece of cardboard. Punch holes around the outside of the things in the picture. Put tape around the ends of yarn to keop it from raveling. Then show your child how to “sew” around the things in the picture by putting yarn or a shoelace through the holes. Drawing/Writing — Show your child how to make lines and circles into stick figures, houses, the sun or moon, letters, numbers, etc. Your child may want to learn to “write” the letters of his or her name when you are play- ing this game, Numbers — Teach your child to know numbers from 1 through 10. Draw these numbers on flash eards. Show ‘your child one card at a time, and ask him or her to find the same number in a book, magazine, or on signs. Counting — Put beans or other small things into an empty egg carton’s “nests.” Show your child how to count out matching numbers of beans snd put them in the “nests” below. Count the beans as you do this, since your child may not be able to count more than two or three without help at first. Be sure your child doesn’t put the ‘beans in his/her mouth and choke.) Finger Painting — Let your child fingerpaint on a large sheet of paper or on a plastie-topped table, Try to get your child to use both hands and make big, round cir- cles and other shapes, ‘Marble Painting — Find a small tray with edges (about 5 inches by 10 inches is easy to handle). Line the bottom of the tray with paper. Dip a marble in fin- gor-paint and put it on the tray. Have your child hold the tray and move it so that the marble rolls around, making a pattern. (Be careful that your child doesn't put the marble in his/her mouth and choke.) Watercolors — Buy a simple set of watercolor paints, Give your child the paints and a piece of paper. Watch ‘how the colors blend together as your child paints, and talk about what you see. Combining Colors —Mix three food colors (red, blue, and yellow) with water. Give these to your child along with an eyedropper, and have him or her drop the colors, ‘onto a paper towel. Talk about how the colors mix to make other colors, Shape Collage — Cut paper of difforent colors into tri angles, squares, and cireles. Talk about the differences in the shapes. Have your child make a design by gluing the shapes onto a piece of paper. Activities to continue: - Encourage climbing, running, jumping, balancing, playing ball, and riding a trieyele. Catching — Use a ball like a tennis ball to play catch with your child, Sometimes bounce the ball to your child, and sometimes throw it back and forth. ‘Tightrope Walk — Show your child how to “walk a tightrope” using a narrow board, line on the driveway, or some other long, straight line. Show your child how to use hands and arms to balance on the “tightrope.” Hopping — Show your child how to hop on one foot. ‘When (s)he can hop in place, show him or her how to hop across the room, first on one foot and then the other. Ring Toss, Ete. — Show your child how to play games like ring toss or dropping clothes pins into juice cans or milk bottles, Animal Walk — Show your child how to walk like dif- ferent animals (squatting like a duck, walking on all fours like a dog, ete.). One game to play is “going to the zoo,” and acting out the animals. Green Light, Red Light — Have your child stand across the room from you. When you say “greenlight,” have your child tiptoe toward you until you say “red light.” Keen saying “green light” and “red light” until your child reaches you. Then take turns by having your child say “green lightired light” while you tiptoe forward,DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 3 TO 4 YEARS to continue: Read to your child each day and be sure your child sees you reading books. ~ Sing songs and say nursery rhymes with your child often, - Try to get your child to say his or her full name, iden- ‘ily moods, describe things to you, and understand time. Help select 'TV programs and limit watching to no more than one hour per day. Remember that many things shown on TV can frighten a small child (even news programs). Watch with your child and be ready to talk about what is real and what is not real. + Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on. Descriptive Naming — Put objects your child knows into a shopping bag. Ask your child to take them out one ata time and tell you something about each one, what color itis, what you do with it, ete. Talking With Your Child — Try to get your child to ask you questions. Keep your answers simple, but use more than one word to answer questions. Stories — Try to get your child to tell a story about him- or herself, about a favorite thing, or about you. Or you can begin a story and ask your child to finish it. Fill In the Blanks — When telling stories your child Jmnows, leave out a word once in a while (such as “Little Riding Hood’ or “Tho Threo __ Pige’). Ask your ‘child to fill in the missing word. ‘My Picture Book — Glue photos of your child on a pisce of paper or in a scrapbook. Ask your child to tell ‘you what is happening in the pictures. Write what your child says under the pictures. Concept of Time — Teach your child the meaning of “before,” “during,” and “later” by using these words as you talk with your child. (For example, “Breakfast comes before lunch, and supper comes later”) Definition/Composition — When you are talking to your child about everyday things, describe them fully. Ifyou cut an apple for your child, talk about it being a round, red, fruit that is good to eat. Try to get your child to give more details about things (he describas to you, ‘ia Frasug. 1D, 1978 196, 196 BURA. Fkerouy 2008 Opposites — Say a word and ask your child to say an opposite word. For example, if you say “up,” your child should say “down.” If you say “hot,” (s)he should say “cold.” Other examples are short/tall, fatithin, open! closed, nightiday, and so on, ss are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Alphabet — Show your child the capital letters of the alphabet one at atime, either by cutting them out of a magazine and pasting them on a flash card or by draw ing them on cards (one letter per card). Show your child the flash card for the letter “A” and teach your child its name. Have him or hor find the letter “A” in magazines or books, or on signs. When your child learns “A,” go on to “B” and then to the other letters. Comparisons — Help your child make comparisons such as shorter than, longer than, taller than, younger than, older than, and so on. Your child can compare the length of a piece of yarn with other objects. (‘Is this toy longer or shorter than the yarn’) Activities to continue: ~ Hug and cuddle your child often, = Soothe and calm your child by holding and talking to him or her when (s)he is upset - Encourage your child to discuss feelings. ~ Include your child in family meals. - Plan trips with your child to a park, 200, library, etc. - Play games with your child and have your child help ‘with simple household chores. Buttoning — When your child can button large but- tons, try to get him or her to button small buttons on his, her clothes, Also teach your child to snap or zip clothing. Eating — Try to get your child to eat properly with a Iknife, fork, and spoon. Cooking — Let your child help with cooking by measur. ing, pouring, stirring, cutting out cookies, ete. Talk with your child about what the two of you are ding ‘Washing — Show your child how to use soap, water, and a washcloth to wash his or her arms and legs. Later, ‘xy to get your child to bathe himself or herself. Setting Limits — At this age, as part of growing up, children begin to test limits and rules. Help your child make decisions by setting limits and stating choices. (An example is, “You can choose a story or a game at bed: time. You can't choose both.”) Praise — Praise your child for positive behaviors, such as trying a new task, helping someone else, or being cooperative,DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 4TO 5 YEARS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basie skills: Activities to continue: + Encourage play with puzzles, and such activities as drawing, counting, sorting, and cutting and gluing. Whole/Half Concept — As your child becomes better at putting together puzzles, cut out shapes such as a circle, square, ora house, and then cut the shapes in half. Show your child how to put the two pieces together to make a whole, Pictures — When your child is drawing, suggest that (he add more to his or her pictures, (For example, try. to get your child to add clothes to people and to put trees, flowers, and the sun in pictures of houses, ete.) Writing — Help your child print simple letters, his or her name, and other short words, Also show your child hhow to write numbers, and to copy words and the names of people and plaees. Matching and Counting Numbers — When your child has learned to count and knows the low numbers (1, 2, 3, ete.), make a set of cards with numbers 1 through 10. Lay the cards out on a table. Then have your child count out the number of beans (or buttons or raisins) to match the number shown on each card, Cutout — When your child has learned to use blunt scissors, show him or her how to cut folded paper to make designs. Help him or her make snowflakes or paper doll chains. Comparing —Help your child find three things that, are similar, but are different in size or weight. An exam- ple is cans of food with different sizes or glasses of water filled with different amounts of wator. After you have chosen the items, have your child arrange them from smallest to largest (or lightest to heaviest), When your child can easily arrange three things, inerease the num- ber to four or mare. Science “Experiments” — Give your child 1/4 eup of vinegar and Jet him or her stir in a teaspoon of baking soda. Or have your child mix together a little flour and water or cornstarch and water. Talk about the changes you see when you do these simple “experiments” togeth- er, Gardening — Have your child plant seeds (such as bean seeds) in an egg carton, in half of a milk carton, or in an outside garden. Help your child water the seeds and watch together each day to see when they grow. ‘Talk about how plants, animals, and children grow. Activities to continue: + Hug and cuddle your child often. + Give your child regular chores to do around the house. + ‘Try to get your ebild to dress without any help. + Encourage your child to play games with other children. alle about feelings with your child. Let your child help you cook, and include your child at family meals. + Plan frequent outings with your child, Developing Independence — Let your child visit close neighbors, friends, or relatives without you. Try to get him or her to talk about the visit when (he comes home. Family Scrapbook — Help your child make a serap- book with pictures of family members, Put the name of each person under the pictures. Body Posters — Show your child how to make body pic. ‘tures with a friend. Help them trace around each other as each lies on a large piece of paper. Have them draw in eyes, nose, mouth, and clothes Puppets — Show your child how to make puppets by drawing faces on small paper bags and using sticks to ‘move the puppets around. Or make puppets from old socks and put faces on them with yarn or marking pens. ‘Show your child how to pretend the puppets are talking to each other. Have your child play the game with other children, as well as by him- or herself, Following Directions — Help your child learn to follow directions by teaching him or her to play “May I?" In this game, give your child and “order” (such as taking three giant steps or taking five stops on tip-toe). The child should ask, “May I” each time. Creative Play with Friends — Invite one or two chil- dren your child's age over to play. Teach them such singing games as “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “London Bridge.” Help them make puppets and put on puppet shows. Try to get them to act out the animals seen in “going to the Playing Store — Gather things from around your home for your child to “sell” at a play store. This might include canned food, shoes, books, and toys. Put prices on the items with masking tape. Make play money from pieces of paper and use buttons, bottle caps, or other small objects as coins. Then have your child be the storekeeper and you or another child pretend to buy things at the store using the play money. ‘Take turns being the shop- per and the shopkeeper. Sharing — Encourage your child to share and cooperate with other family members and friends, This includes sharing toys and taking turns in games and activities, Praise your child when (s)he shares,DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 410 5 YEARS These actis Activities to continue: ~ ‘Try to get your child to ask questions and to tell you about what (s)he sees and hears. Encourage your child to look at books often. Be sure ‘your child sees you reading books. Read fairy tales and short adventure stories to your child and then talk about the stories. Help select TV programs and limit watching to no ‘more than 1 to 2 hours per day. Wateh some pro- grams together. Remember that many things shown ‘on TV can frighten a small child (even news pro- grams). Watch with your child and be ready to tall about what is real and what is not real ‘Memory Game — Put some small toys or household items into a bag. While your child is watching, take three or four items from the bag. Put them on a table and ask your child to name them. ‘Tell your child to close his or her eyes, take one item away, and ask your child to tell you which item is missing, As your child gets better at this game, increase the number of items you put on the table. Word Recognition — Print names of objects in your child's room on small cards and tape them on the objects (table, door, ete). Ask your child to name the things on the cards, Also try to get your child to know signs along the street (Coca-Cola,” etc) Number Games —To help your child count and know numbers, teach your child how to play games with cards and dice. ‘Magazines — If you can, order a children’s magazine (euch as “Jack and Jill). This way your child will have something to read and activities to do each month. Sentence Completion — Start a sentence and ask your child to finish it. The sentence can be about things you and the child can see (“In the hack yard, I see.) about things the child likes (“Jimmy likes to eat..), or about places you have been together ("Yesterday we went to..." Family Newshook —Help your child put together “family newsbook,” with pictures of family members, drawings made by the child about the family, things you collected from places you have been together, and s0 on. Newsbooks also can be made about a family vacation or some other special event. Library —Take your child to the local library. Get library eard in your child’s name, and check out books that interest your child. Read the books to your child, and go back to the library often for more books. Songs — Sing songs with your child. Let your child now you are proud that (S)he has memorized the words to the songs. ‘Orn. rant. MD, 175 106, inane PPro 08 Four Seasons — Help your child learn about winter, spring, summer, and fall. For example, go on a spring vwalk and look at spring flowers and the buds on bushes. Or go on a walk in the fall and collect colored leaves that have fallen from trees. Talk about what happens to the earth, to animals, and to people during the different sea- sons. Ask questions like, “What does a bear do in win- ter” When I Was a Child — Children love to hear about, what parents did when they were children, and they love to tell stories about “when they were little” Tell your child stories from your childhood. In return, have your child tell you stories about when he or she was a baby or young child. Mistakes — Children feel special when they can “tesch” their parents. ‘You can make a “mistake” on purpose and let your child “teach” you. For example, you can “forget” to put out milk for the cereal or give your child a sweater and say, “Here is your hat.” Kitchen Helper —Tell your child you are making him, or her your special “kitchen helper.” Have your child help set the table for meals, tear up lettuce for salad, clear the table after eating, ete. Ask your child to describe what he or she is doing. Talk about how good it feels to help someone else and to do a good job. Concepts — Use daily activities to teach concepts, such as in and out (of the grocery cart), high and low (on shelves), four comers (sheets), dirty and clean (sorting clothes). jes are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: Encourage playing different ball games; rmning, hopping, and jumping over, under, and around an obstacle course; walking “tightropes” and other bal aneing games; and swinging and climbing. Miniature Golf — Cut holes in boxes or cut the tops out of milk cartons, ‘Then have your child play “putt-putt” golf by hitting a small ball (ike a tennis bal) into the holes with a mop or stick. Bag Races — Make bags large enough to slip over a child's lower body from an old sheet or towels (or get a burlap bag from a market). Show your child and his or hher friends how to pull the bags up around their waists. Have them hop forward in a race to see who can cross the finish line first. Hopscotch — Draw squares in the dirt with a stick or on the sidewalk with a piece of chalk. ‘Teach your child how to play hopscotch with his or her friends. Jump Rope/Leap Frog — Show your child how to jump rope, and how to play “Leap Frog” with another child or adult. Praise your child for trying new activities.DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 5 TO 6 YEARS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: ‘Activities to continue: - Encourage your child to dress, pick up after him or herself without your help, and help around the Ouse, = Discuss feelings with your child and hug and cuddle your child often. = Let your child help you cook, and include your child at family meals. = Plan frequent outings with your child, and let your child visit neighbors, friends, and relatives with- = Give your child a choice of what (s)he would like to watch on TV, but continue to help select pro- prams. Limit watching to no more than J 102 jours per day. Watch some programs with your child and talk about what you have seen arid heard on the programs, Communication - Make time each day to talk with your child. Listen to your child and let your child know you have understood by repeating back what (s)he has said. During this time, avoid preaching and lecturing, calling names, and blaming Family Rulemaking - Agree with your spouse on family rules. Involve your child in making family rules by holding family meetings from time to time. At these meetings, discuss family projects, outings, and rules. Use the meetings to teach your child re- spect for rules and laws; save the use of force for ‘emergencies or times when reasoning with your child doesn’t work. Getting Along With Others - Children this age are very social and need to play with other children their ‘own age. Your child may need help working out conflicts. Teach your child the words to say to a friend so that his or her needs are met. Try to get your child to use words to solve problems rather than pushing or hitting ‘Winning and Losing — Discuss winning and losing with your child before events that have winners and losers, and after hard experiences, Praise your child whenever he or she handles winning or losing well. Positive reinforcement - Don’t correct your child too much, Instead of pointing out what (s)he does wrong, take a positive approach, and point out things your child does tight Prsive your child for patience shar- ing, thoughtfulness to others, trying new tasks and so on, (© Copyright 1987, W.K. Frankenburg Activities to continue: — Continue to get a children’s magazine for your child and/or get books for your child fromthe library. Read to your child ‘often and then talk about the stories together. After you read a short story, ask your child questions about it = Be sure your child sees you reading books often. imilar and Different - Help your child understand how things are alike and different. For example, ask your child how the following things are different: a iadio and a TV, a chair and a bench, a knife and a fork, a flower and a tree, a mirror and a window, ete. Ask your child how the following things are alike: al bicyéle and a tricycle, a ship and an airplane, a wash cloth and a towel, a garden hose and a watering can, and so on Telling Why — Ask your child “w! as: "Why do houses have roofs? Wh teeth? Why do we eat? Why do cars ‘Twenty Questions ~ Think of a common thing in your home and ask your child to guess what you are thinking of Start with avery easy object. (Itmay help to choose something the child can see while you are playing the game.) Suggest that your child begin by putting the object into a category (Can it be eaten? Is it alive? Etc.). At first you will have to help your child with this game. 1 Packed My Grandmother's Trunk ~ Begin this game by saying, “I packed my grandmother's trunk and in it put (insert the name of something your child knows, like shoes). Next it is your child’s tum. (S)He should repeat what you have said, repeat the item you “packed,” and thei add another item of his or her own. The next time, you repeat all that the child has said, and add another item. With each turn, another item is added until there are too many to remember. As you play this game, your child gradually be able to remember more and more items. Reading Signs ~ Teach your child to know short words on signs, such as “Stop,* “Walk,” and “One Way.” Naming Coins - Teach your child to know different coins. Start with sorting pennies out of a group of coins. Next, teach your child to know the difference between nickels, dimes, and quarters. Have your child sort out one group of coins at a time, naming them as (s)he sorts them. Surveys ~ Children this age love to ask questions, Write some simple questions on a piece of paper and read them to your child; then have your child answer the questions. Examples are: “How many light bulbs are there in our house? How many pets do we have?” uestions, such Ny do we brush our ave wheels?”DENVER DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES 5106 YEARS These activities are designed to help your child with the following basic skills: Activities to continue: ~ Help your child to write his or her name and other short words, and try to get your child to write numbers. - Encourage your child to draw, count, sort, cut, paste, play with puzzles, ete. ~ Continue to play counting games with your child. ‘Sequences — Help your child understand the order of events by making gelatin, popcom, or toast together. Lay out all the things you will need first, and help your child decide which step comes first, second, etc., in preparing the food Concentration/Memory - When your child knows the numbers from one to six, put out cards with one of each of these numbers written on them. Let your child look at the cards, then tum them over and have your child remember which card has which number. As your child gets better at this game, add more cards. Clay - Buy potter's clay or plasticene and help your child make animals, pots, and so on. Talk about what your child is making, and praise his or her efforts. Put your child’s creation in a special place to show the Family, Selling Things ~ Children this age like to sell things. Maybe your child can have a lemonade stand on the front lawn with other children in the neighborhood. Or if you are going to have a garage or yard sale, let your child have his or her own table and sell old books or toys for a few pennies. Collecting - Help your child have a hobby of collect- ing things. Some examples of things children like to collect are stuffed animals, bottle caps, pretty rocks, and so on. Help your child count the things (s)he collects and arrange them, While you are working together on your child's hobby, talk about what the two of you are doing Cooking - Show your child how to make simple recipes, such as cookies or brownies from a mix. Talk to your child about measuring and stirring. After you have finished cooking, wash and dry dishes together. Praise your child for a job well done. ‘© Copyright 1987, W. K. Frankenburg ‘Calendar —Put a calendar in your child’s room to help him or her begin to learn the months, days, and weeks. Together, mark important dates on the calen- dar, and help your child count the days (weeks/ months) until those dates. Hammer, Saw, Nail ~ Children this age can use a real hammer, saw, and nails with supervision, Give ‘our child items to be nailed to the wood, such as bottle caps, jar lids, scraps of leather, and'so on. Time ~ Make a clock out of paper or cardboard. Put tho hands on it, using a thumb tack. Point the hands of the clock to times that are important to your child (Such as lunch time, time to go to bed, and so on). Start with times on the hour, such as twelve o’clock for lunch or six o’clock for supper. After your child Jeams the times on the hour, add half hours and then the quarter hours. Drawing Views ~ Show your child how to draw a picture from one view and then draw the same picture from another view. An example is to have ‘your child first draw a front view of a can of soup Sitting on a table. Then have him or her draw the same can of soup from above it. Measuring - When your child can read numbers, you can teach measuring. Give your child a ruler and ‘show him or her how to read the inches. Help your child use the ruler to measure things around the house (a book, the doorway, a table, and so on). You can write down the measurements your child gets and talk about which object is wider and which is taller. Activities to continue: = Encourage your child and his or her friends to play different ball games, to play balancing games, to run, hop, and jump around an obstacle course, and so on. Bicycle and Skates ~If your child does not already rollerskate, iceskate, or fide a bicycle, help him or her to learn. Be sure to go over safety rules with your child. Once your child can ride or skate well and you are sure (s)he knows, understands, and obeys the safety rules, begin to let your child play further from home.