258 Part Three Infants
Babies need to repeat games
with many objects and with some
changes in order to test how
something works. There are many
kinds of problem-solving activities.
More activities are found in 11-13.
Problem-Solving Activities
Spatial Relationship Activities
Stacking and
Nesting
Stacking and Nesting
Find or purchase three cans or boxes that are different sizes. They
must fi t inside each other. These can be stacked by placing one on top
of the other. They can also be nested by placing one inside the other.
Show the baby how to stack and how to nest. (For young babies, the
boxes should differ greatly in size. If there are many pieces, start with
only the smallest, the middle-size, and the large pieces. After the baby
can work with three pieces well, add others one at a time.)
Far and Near
Hold a toy close to the baby’s eyes. Move it back slowly and say,
“There it goes.” Move it forward slowly and say, “Here it comes.” The
game helps babies see size differences in near and far objects.
Other Performance Activities
Where’s the
Object?
Where’s the Object?
Hide a favorite toy, starting with simple ways of hiding and moving.
Advance to more complex ways as the baby masters each. During
each game, let the baby watch you hide the toy. If the baby fi nds
the toy, move on to the next step. (1) Partially hide the toy under a
blanket. (2) Next, totally hide the toy under the blanket. (3) Wrap the
toy in paper so that the shape of the object shows. (4) Place the toy
in or under a box. (5) Place the toy in a box that is in another box.
Hide and Seek
Hide from the baby, leaving some part of yourself visible. Let the baby
fi nd you. Once found, make the reunion happy, with lots of hugs and
kisses. (This helps the baby overcome anxiety when left with others.)
After partially hiding yourself during many games, hide yourself
completely. Choose a hiding spot where the baby can fi nd you easily.
Activities Using Objects as Tools
Making Sounds
with Objects
Pulling Strings
Babies can learn to get an object by pulling a string in many ways.
You may buy toys that are pulled on a string. You may also attach any
toy or safe household object to a string for the baby to pull.
Making Sounds with Objects
By hitting objects together, babies can learn to make different sounds.
They will learn to vary the sounds by hitting softer or harder, or by
changing the objects. Different objects to use include a pan with a
spoon, a box with a spoon, a drum with a stick, and a block with a block.
11-13 Problem-solving activities help babies understand their world.