Ideas for the Caregiver

Ideas for the Infant Caregiver

1. Help infants develop a sense of trust and security by responding to their cries. 
2. Place infants in new places or positions.
3. Hold and interact with infants when being fed.
4. Play peek-a-boo.
5. Object permanence
6. Give and take of language development
7. Talk frequently to infants.
8. Tell the child when you need to perform a caregiving task. “Mary, I’m going to pick you up to change your diaper.”
9. Respect child’s natural schedule.
10. Baby-proof everything.
11. Expose child to a variety of objects to explore with all senses.
12. Provide an environment rich with sounds.
13. Include household items
14. Read, read, read to infants.
15. Give freedom to move around (floor time).

Ideas for the Toddler Caregiver

1. Enjoy some “floor time” with every child.
2. Review baby-proofing.
3. Put together a “stuff box” filled with items they can feel, poke, rip, squeeze.
4. Encourage play with safe mirrors.
5. Provide a variety of simple picture books.
6. Provide equipment so that children can practice placing small items into containers.
7. Use diapering time to talk about body parts.
8. Talk and describe items to child frequently with everyday items. “See that red shirt?”
9. Separation for parents and others is still heightened. Minimize separations if possible.
10. Enjoy dancing with children to music with different rhythms and songs.
11. Talk with child about everyday things.
12. Read simple books with children every day.
13. Make own scrapbooks of objects or people your toddlers know.
14. Encourage language development by expanding on what a toddler says.
15. Play a simple game of “find.”
16. Encourage dress-up and pretend play.