What type of learning activities can I do with the 8-12month olds at my childcare center?

Question

What type of learning activities can I do with the 8-12month olds at my childcare center?

Answer 1

I love kids at this age because they are soo silly, you can sing with them, and let them "talk" with each other. If you put them in a play pin with about 2-3 children their same age and just place a couple of toys in there with them they will "talk" and share the toys, place them on the floor (on a foam mat) and let them just go crazy!!!! play pick a boo and where did my hand go? There it is, where my foot go? ect. teach them body parts and constantly talk to them.....

Answer 2

There are many things that you can do with these little ones.  I would suggest: ball games, peek a boo, reading books, playing with blocks, naming body parts (sure they can't speak sometimes however try), singing games that you have made up (A, A, A, A is for apple; B, B,B, B is for Banana...and etc).  The children may or may not be ready to talk however they will be able to try.  It is very good to learn how to talk.  

* I have attached a great site about the abilities of this age group.  It is a fun, interesting time with these children.  You should have great fun playing with all of them!

Answer 3

peek a boo!

:)

I used to love that.

Answer 4

Babies of this age are like little sponges.  They are learning faster than they will later on.  They need the input of as many different stimuli as you can provide.   Input comes before output.

Your program should focus on sensory experiences.  Talking to them & singing are very impotant for language development.  They will start trying to copy.

You can start giving them blocks & toys, small enough for them to handle but not small enough to go into their mouths.  These will help them develop manual desterity & eye hand co-ordination.  Use different textures, colours & shapes.  Try toys that move or make sounds when they're handled.

Include play with water, sand, playdough etc for sensory perception.

To help with muscle development try some of the little playgym type equipment.

Have fun - the babies will respond to your moods & if you're enjoying playing with them they'll resopnd better.

However don't forget they will have a short attention span & also will need time for sleep during the day.  Most important everyone will be different and like different things & routines.

Answer 5

you can asked them to identify the pictures of famous personalities,buildings etc.

Answer 6

play with blocks. but dont let them eat them.

Answer 7

Sadly, the best things that a baby needs to learn is that the parents will look after it and hug and hold it.  You are not a parent to these children and never will be.  The parents have abdicated for the space of those hours that you are in charge with your staff and faculty.

But the best you can do is hug and hold and care for the children.  They do not need "teaching," per se.  The world around them is the classroom.  

I liked tha answer about providing stuffed toys, rattley things and constant love for each child.  Clean dry diapers, and warm huggy adults.

Answer 8

Children this age are still intuitive learners and best served by providing a variety of interesting manipulatives. Block, balls, stuffed animals that are small enough to be handled by such young babies.

They need a safe place to be able to have floor time, and they need direct interaction with adults or nurturing children. Sharing toys back and forth, lots of verbal input, soft music of all genres.

Have fun.

Answer 9

ummm you can feed them you can well i dont really no cause i mean there so little you should just quit and go to an older group

Answer 10

I have an 11 month old.  She loves taking things in and out of boxes.  Give them a container or box with lots of toys or safe objects (not too small) and they love fishing through it.  My daughter loves this box of "Magneatos" that her grandmother bought for her older sister.  The balls are big enough so she can't get them in her mouth and she loves the way they stick to the other magnetic peices.  They come in all the primary colors plus green.  Another thing she loves is repetitive type music.  They love to clap their hands and bounce along with the beat.  Be creative, but simple.  For example, while my 3 year old plays with her playdough, I give the containers to my 11 month old while she's in her high chair.  It keeps her busy and entertained for quite a while.

Answer 11

some sort of daily exercise, like dancing to music, color recognition, playing with bigger toys so they can't swallow them, take them outside on nice days to play in the grass.

Answer 12

These little ones have just become mobile and will be active. Give them space and equipment to begin and practice crawling, pulling up, and beginning to take their first steps.

They LOVE balls at this age - it's a social game that they can control! They roll a ball to someone, and that person likely will roll it back to them. Make sure you have several balls of varying sizes and colors.

They're also learning about their own bodies and how to move through space. Give them opportunities to sit in large boxes, to crawl under things, to explore tunnels (which will be scary for some, but exciting for others), and to feel hugs.

Sit them on scooters (the little plastic seats with 4 wheels underneath) and move them slowly so they can get used to controlling their balance.

Give them ramps and inclines to climb on and roll balls down. They can learn about their own momentum by crawling up and down those hills, controlling their bodies as they move in different ways.

Flashlights can be fun at this age too, especially if you have sheer fabric or scarves. Turn out the lights in the classroom and give the staff members a flashlight. Explore shadows, shine light on baby's toes, hands, toys. Hide under a small blanket or a large, sheer piece of fabric and get cozy with the child, exploring out the light shines on the folds of the fabric and your bodies.

Involve music as well! These little ones can explore with maracas, bells, or other instruments that can be shaken by their little hands. Work on the steady beat, tapping it on the floor or on their bodies. Learning this steady beat can do wonderous things for brain development. Give them a wide cultural base of music.

Incorporate baby signs! Use sign language as well as spoken words as you communicate. 6-8 months is generally the earliest a child can sign, so your kids are at the perfect age. Many children, with exposure, can communicate with signs long before they learn to speak. This will make your time with them that much more meaningful, as you'll be effectively communicating with one another.

Don't be afraid to do art with these groups! Find non-toxic paints that they can put their hands in and explore with. It'll be messy, but so worth it when you see how engaged they are and what beautiful outcomes you could have. Use bright colors that blend well together!

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head. Just think about your group and be creative! I'm sure you'll come up with some really great activities for them. And, as others have suggested, there's always the internet!  Good luck!

Answer 13

The best thing I can advice you is to search online regarding about the activities for 8 to 12 month old infant.

Its better to search on google and then click on news once data is achieved.

Use Microsoft word document make your own notes and then save it.

How Can I Encourage My Child to Learn?

Your baby's ability to get around and never-ending curiosity are the catalysts for learning during this period, so it's important to provide opportunities — and a safe place — for exploration. Your baby may enjoy playing with egg cartons, blocks, balls, stacking toys, and push-pull toys. When your baby is in the bath, provide squeeze toys and cups and containers to splash around with.

Infants are learning to understand language so continue to talk to your baby. Introduce simple words by naming familiar objects and let your baby try to imitate you. Reinforce the words by repeating them. Encourage your infant's expressions by waiting for a response when you are having a "conversation."

Continue reading to your child from books that have large, colorful illustrations. Point to pictures in the book and say their names to create associations between the things your child sees and the words that describe them.

Here are some other ideas for encouraging your 8- to 12-month-old to learn and play:

Encourage crawling during tummy time by helping your baby get into the crawling position on hands and knees. Place a favorite toy out of reach and encourage your baby to move toward it.

Continue to play games like peekaboo, but vary it a bit by hiding your face with a blanket and letting the baby pull it off, hiding around the corner, and showing your baby how to cover his or her own face with the hands.

Continue to play hide and seek and test your child's understanding of object permanence. Let your baby watch you hide a toy — first partially hidden, then covered completely — and let him or her find it.

Teach your baby action songs, like "Pat-A-Cake," "This Little Piggy," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "Pop Goes the Weasel." Babies love to hear and learn these songs and anticipate the accompanying movements.

There is a wide range of what is normal for babies, and some babies develop slower and faster than others. Talk with your child's doctor if you have a concern.

This is the best advice I can give you.