Hush Little Baby
(sing while rocking your child)

Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird don't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.


The Hokey Pokey
(Help your child by moving her body parts to
the lyrics of the song. On the part that says
"turn yourself around", help her turn around
or either pick her up and swirl her around in
your arms).

You put your right foot in,
You take your right foot out
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
(Repeat with left foot, right and left hands,
head, and whole self).

Rock a Bye Baby
Rock a bye baby in the treetop,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
Down will come baby, cradle, and all.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Place your baby in front of a
large mirror and allow him to
"meet" himself. Try placing a hat
on his head and a toy by his
side, and see if he studies the
objects or attempts to reach for
them through the mirror. Talk to
your baby about what he sees in
the mirror: "That's you! Say 'hi"
Jacob."


Food Art
Strap a bib on your child and put
her in her high chair. On a clean
high chair tray, spoon a few
different kinds (and different
colors) of baby food, telling baby
the name of each one as you
present it. Let your child touch,
smear, and taste the foods to her
heart's delight! Consider keeping
a camera handy to capture her
"masterpieces!"



Open/Shut Them
(For variety, play this game with
your child's stuffed animals)

Open shut them, open shut them,
give a little clap.
Open shut them, open shut them,
put them in your lap!
Creep them, creep them, creep
them, creep them, right up to
your chin chin chin.
Open wide your little mouth, but
do not let them in!

Play Pat-A-Cake

Photo Recognition
Let your child see photos
of himself (preferably
prints, but digital is fine).
Make conversation such
as "Is that Jacob? Look
Jacob has on a red
shirt...etc."


Where Did You Go?
Cover your child's
face with a towel
and ask "where is
(child's name) ? Lift the
towel and say "Ah, there
he is." Do the  same thing
again,  asking "where are
(child's name) hands,
feet, bellybutton, and so
forth."

Face to Face Interaction:

Give your child a massage.
Turn the lights down low and
play soothing music that your
child enjoys. Use an edible oil
such as olive oil, and warm
your hands together. Slowly
massage one body part at a
time, and sing or hum softly.

Hold your child and simply
talk to him about herself. Tell
her her full name (first,
middle, and last), and
continue a
stream-of-consciousness
conversation ("and you have
two eyes, and you have two
ears, and your hair is soft and
curly, etc.")