baby talk ielg activities · 7-18 months, approaches to learning, persistence, effort &...

1 Month

I love your voice! - Knows your voice

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Memory

Turns toward familiar voices, sounds, and/or objects

My eyes can track! - Follows an object

0-9 months, Approaches to Learning, Curiosity & Initiative

Observes the environment and people; tracks a toy as it moves from one point to another

I can lift my head - Lifts head briefly

0-9 months, Physical Development & Health, Gross Motor

Lifts head while on tummy

Why do I startle? - Responds to a noise

0-9 months, Physical Development & Health, Perceptual

Responds to changes in the environment, e.g., startles when hearing a loud noise, turns head toward

0-9 months, Language Development, Communication, & Literacy, Receptive Communication

Responds to sounds found in the environment, e.g., cries if hears a loud bang, will turn toward a

2 Months

So, these are MY hands! - Hand awareness

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Safety & Well-Being

Demonstrates interest in own body, e.g., stares at hands, mouths feet, pokes at belly button


Shows interest in him- or herself, e.g., gazes at hands, places feet in mouth

Do you want to talk? - Mouth noises, face-to-face interactions

0-9 months, Social & Emotional Development, Relationship with Adults

Engages in social interactions with adults through smiles, coos, and eye contact

Baby TALK IELG Activities

Is this what I look like, too? - Loves to look at faces

0-9 months, Social & Emotional Development, Self-Concept

Demonstrates interest in faces and voices of others

I know what happens next! - Begins anticipating routines


Anticipates familiar events, e.g., reaches for bottle and brings to mouth

3 Months

I can lift my head & chest! - Raises head and chest when on tummy


Lifts head while on tummy

Shake, rattle, and grasp! - Grasps and shakes toys

0-9 months, Physical Development & Health, Fine Motor

Grasps, holds, and shakes objects

Baby’s Got Babble! - Begins to imitate sounds

0-9 months, Approaches to Learning, Creativity, Inventiveness & Imagination

Imitates sounds, movements, and facial expressions, e.g., moves body up and down after caregiver initially moves in that manner

0-9 months, Social & Emotional Development, Attachment Relationships

Imitates familiar adults’ gestures and sounds

You make me smile! - Smiles socially

0-9 months, Language Development, Communication, & Literacy, Social Communication

Smiles and uses other facial expressions to initiate interactions with caregiver

0-9 months, Social & Emotional Development, Relationship with Peers

Demonstrates effort to interact and engage, e.g., uses eye contact, coos, smiles

4 Months

Rolling to back - Rolling over


Rolls from back to stomach and from stomach to back

Sitting so Pretty - My neck is becoming stronger


Begins to gain balance, e.g., sits with and without support

Learning through my senses, my mouth is the best! - Explores objects


Actively explores new objects found in the environment by touching, patting, and mouthing

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Symbolic Thought

Uses senses to explore objects, e.g., observes, mouths, touches

The World is a Rainbow! - I can see lots of colors now


Has a range of vision that extends to several feet, which in turn leads to seeing colors and seeing objects from a distance

5 Months

That’s my name! - When you call his name


Recognizes own name, e.g., looks up, or turns head toward a person who is saying his/her name


Looks or turns toward the familiar person who says his or her name

(Almost) In the palm of her hand! - Rakes small objects with whole hand


Uses raking motion with hands to bring objects closer, e.g., uses all fingers to bring small objects closer to body

Listen to the beat! - Reacts to music by cooing

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Creative Expression

Demonstrates interest in sounds, songs, music, and colors

Hand to mouth! - Brings toys to mouth

0-9 months, Language Development, Communication, & Literacy, Early Literacy

Reaches out to grasp and mouth books

6 Months

Left, Right, Write… - Transfers objects between hands


Transfers an object from one hand to the other

Peek-A-Boo! I Learn By Looking At You! - Plays peek-a-boo


Begins to engage in simple, back-and-forth interactions with a familiar adult, e.g., plays “peek-a-boo,” babbles in response to an adult speaking and repeats this interaction

Partially out of sight…but not out of mind! - Finds partially hidden toy


Finds an object that it is partially hidden


Locates an object that has been partially hidden

Infant with a cause…and reaction! - Begins to understand cause and effect

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Concept Development

Attempts to repeat an action, e.g., pats the table and tries to pat it again

0-9 months, Approaches to Learning, Problem Solving

Enjoys repeating actions, e.g., continues to drop toy from highchair after it is picked up by a caregiver or sibling

7 Months

I feel for you! - Responds to your facial expressions

0-9 months, Social & Emotional Development, Empathy

Begins to share in simple emotions by reading facial and gestural cues, e.g., repeats activities that make others laugh

Meet me in the middle - Holds objects mid-line


Brings both hands to midline, i.e., center of the body

BIG on Books Even Though I’m Little - Listens to you read and talk about books


Shows awareness of printed materials, e.g., stares at a picture in a book

Your Little Handful Has Her Hands Full - Holds two of three objects offered

0-9 months, Cognitive Development, Quantity & Numbers

Holds on to more than one object at a time, e.g., grasps a rattle in one hand, and reaches for block

8 Months

My Babble has meaning! - Babbling with consonants? Da, Ma, or Ba?


Participates in back-and-forth communication, e.g., babbles back and forth and/or plays peek-a-boo with caregiver

0-9 months, Language Development, Communication, & Literacy, Expressive Communication

Babbles and experiments with all types of sounds (two-lip sounds: “p,” “b,” “m”)

I can use my fingers! - What small items does she want to pick up with her pincer grasp?


Uses pincer grasp, e.g., picks up a Cheerio with thumb and forefinger

Who’s that baby! - I reach out and pat the things I see in the mirror


Demonstrates interest in looking in mirror

Ready, set, move! - Is the baby interested in motor activities?


Scoots body to attempt to move from one point to another

9 Months

What is the limit? - Setting limits


Looks for caregiver’s response in uncertain situations

7-18 months, Self-Regulation, Behavior Regulation

Reads cues and body language of caregiver(s) and familiar others to guide reactions and behaviors in novel and uncertain situations

Bang, bang, bang! - Bangs objects together at midline


Holds a small object in each hand; bangs them together


Manipulates objects, e.g., turns, shakes, bangs

Here is my nose and there is a ball! - Points to body parts


Points or makes sounds while looking at picture books


Points to and identifies body parts on him or herself, e.g., points to eyes when asked, “Where are your

eyes?”

New people can be scary! - Stranger anxiety


Exhibits stranger anxiety and concern in presence of an unknown person or a new situation

10 Months

Books are yummy! - Looks at picture books


Identifies and indicates objects and people in pictures, e.g., points

Look what my body can do! - Pulls to stand


Pulls to a stand using help from furniture or caregiver


Cruises while holding on to furniture, e.g., walks around crib, holding on to railing

“The wheels on the bus…” - Likes moving parts on toys


Coordinates increasingly complex hand movements to manipulate objects, e.g., crumples paper, connects and disconnects toy links, flips light switch on and off

Look what I did!!!! - Shows pride in accomplishments


Uses social referencing to guide actions and begins to test limits

11 Months

How big is baby…so big! - Playing “so big”


Follows a one-step, simple request when a gesture is used

Since you thought that was funny, I’ll do it again! - Repeats actions

7-18 months, Self-Regulation, Attention Regulation

Maintains more advanced levels of engagement, e.g., repeats actions over and over when enjoying the reaction and result of the experience 7-18 months, Approaches to Learning, Problem Solving

Begins to recognize that certain actions will draw out certain responses, e.g., laughing and smiling will often result in an adult responding in the same manner

Fill and dump, fun, fun, fun! - Puts objects in containers

7-18 months, Cognitive Development, Spatial Relationships

Puts objects in a bucket and then dumps them out; repeats this action

What’s on that spoon? - Holds a spoon

7-18 months, Approaches to Learning, Persistence, Effort & Attentiveness

Begins to attempt assisting in self-help activities, e.g., feeding, grooming

12 Months

Listen to me! - May say a few words: "mama," "dada," and "uh-oh"


Utters first words; these words are for familiar objects and people, e.g., “mama,” “bottle”

Roll, roll, roll your ball! - Begins to roll or push a ball


Moves objects with large muscles, e.g., pushes a toy car with legs, rolls a ball

I know what you mean! - Responds to directions


Demonstrates understanding of a familiar sound or word, e.g., looks toward a caregiver after hearing


Responds appropriately to familiar words, e.g., hears the words “so big,” and puts arms in air

I can do it myself…please help me! - Wants to be independent

7-18 months, Self-Regulation, Physiological Regulation

Increased desire for independence and control

13 Months

I love you the best! - Strongly attached to a specific toy


Begins to demonstrate preferences for objects and/or materials, e.g., selects a book to read when given options

May I have this dance? - Likes to dance to music


Participates in music activities by performing some accompanying hand movements

I’m “telling” you no! - Shakes head “no”

7-18 months, Physical Development & Health, Self-Care

Shakes head to demonstrate no; pushes objects away


Responds with “yes” or “no,” using sounds, words, and/or gestures to answer simple questions

What’s the point? - Understands and uses pointing


Begins to understand descriptive words and apply attributesto people, e.g., points to himself when asked, “Who’s a big boy?”

7-18 months, Self-Regulation, Emotional Regulation

Communicates needs to an adult, e.g., points, shakes head

14 Months

I am SO frustrated! - Shows frustration by having a tantrum


Demonstrates frustration, e.g., cries, bites

Let me show you how much I love you! - Shares affection

7-18 months, Social & Emotional Development, Emotional Expression

Recognizes and expresses emotion toward a familiar person, e.g., shows emotion by hugging a sibling

See ya later! - Waves bye-bye


Uses nonverbal communication to express ideas, e.g., waves bye-bye, signs “more” when eating

I am learning to love being read to! - Wants to turn pages in books


Uses hands in a purposeful manner, e.g., turns the pages of a board book, drops objects into a bucket

15 Months

I know it’s still there! - Finds a hidden toy


Develops object permanence, aware that an object still exists even when it is not physically visible, e.g., pulls the blanket off the pacifier, cries when caregiver leaves the room


Demonstrates object permanence , e.g., realizes objects and people still exist, even when they are not physically visible

I want to be friends…maybe - Shows more interest in playing with others


Shows interest in another child by moving closer, e.g., rolls, crawls, or walks toward the child


Shifts attention from adults to peers

It may have been ok…now I am SCARED! - May show fear and insecurity


Relies on routines and patterns to maintain an organized state in order to focus


Hesitates and demonstrates caution in new and/or changing situations, e.g., stops crawling when reaches the edge of an uneven surface

Let’s have a (pretend) picnic! - Enjoys “Make Believe” play; wants to imitate adults


Engages in simple pretend play, e.g., pretends to drink tea from a pretend tea cup, pretends to feed baby doll with toy bottle, uses a toy block as a phone, pretends to talk to mama


Begins to use symbolic play while interacting, e.g., holds a play phone to ear and has a “conversation” with grandma

16 Months

How high can I go? - Builds a four block tower


Controls placement of objects in a more effective manner, e.g., stacks blocks in a more orderly fashion

I can climb stairs, and furniture, and… - Walks up steps and climbs


Attempts to climb objects, e.g., furniture, steps, simple climbing structures

Do you understand me? - Babbles with expressions; may use simple words


Babbles using the sounds of the home language


Participates in simple back-and-forth communication, using words and/or gestures

I am loving my bath! - Pours water into different sizes of containers


Plays with water and sand tables; explores by pouring, digging, and filling

17 Months

I see what you’re asking and I can point to it! - Points to familiar objects


Points to familiar pictures and actions in books

I can do it again, and again, and again - Enjoys doing the same things again

7-18 months, Approaches to Learning, Problem Solving

Repeats actions over and over again to figure out how an object works

I can clean, fold, sweep…and I love it! - Helps in your jobs around the house


Demonstrates an interest in new activities and a willingness to try out new experiences


Expresses pride, e.g., smiles, claps, or says, “I did it” after completing a task

The cow says “Moo”, the dog says.. - Makes animal sounds while looking at books


Connects gestures and/or sounds to comment about a familiar object, e.g., makes a crying sound after the caregiver hugs a baby doll and says, “Hush, baby”

18 Months

Let's sing and motion! - Imitates songs and finger plays


Participates in finger plays, e.g., moves hands to imitate caregiver’s hands when singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

I can do it by myself! - Does things for himself


Asks for help from familiar adults but may begin to attempt to complete tasks autonomously

If I want it, it’s mine; if I see it, it’s mine…- Is possessive of toys


Expresses frustration when another child takes something away from him or her, e.g., a toy

If you cry I will give you a hug! - Shows sympathy


Imitates comforting behaviors from caregiver(s), e.g., pats or hugs a child when upset

19 Months

Play ball! - Tries to kick a ball; tries to throw a ball


Kicks and attempts to catch a ball

Head, shoulders, pants, and shoes! - Points to body parts and clothing when named


Points to body parts when prompted

We are family! - Enjoys looking at a family book


Points to self in images and other types of media

Budding Monet- Scribbles on paper


Randomly scribbles

20 Months

I want you, don’t go! - May have difficulty with separation


Plays physically farther away from primary caregiver with increasing confidence; moves closer as needed. Seeks physical closeness when distressed.

It’s a puzzle! - Completes a simple three or four piece puzzle


Uses simple trial and error to complete simple puzzles, e.g., matches piece, orients and attempts to turn to make a puzzle piece fit

You want me to do what? - Is able to follow simple directions


Understands simple commands and questions and can follow two-step requests with the support of gestures and prompting

I know what I want, I can let you know too! - Indicates wants


Starts to indicate needs with gestures or a word, e.g., tugs diaper when wet, says “milk” when thirsty

21 Months

I want it now, now, now! - Temper tantrums


Demonstrates anger and frustration through a wide range of physical, vocal, and facial expressions, e.g., temper tantrums

Ooey, gooey, messy fun! - Messy play

16-24 months, Cognitive Development, Science Concepts & Exploration

Attempts new tasks during familiar activities, e.g., plays at the water table, and instead of using hands, tries to use head to make the water move

Cleaning, cooking, sweeping, dusting… - Imitates housework and “helping” you


Engages in pretend play with familiar objects and experiences, e.g., places baby doll in stroller…

Let me see how far I can reach - Stands on tip toes


Walks on tiptoes, walks backward, and runs

22 Months

In the fold - Folds paper


Uses hand-eye coordination in a more controlled manner, e.g., completes puzzles, strings beads

I can make up my own mind! - Wants to make decisions


Demonstrates desire to control or make decisions independent from adults

Let’s play charades! - Uses gestures when communicating with others


Gestures in order to communicate a desire to play near a peer

My scribbles are becoming more purposeful! - Imitates a circular scribble


Begins to imitate lines and circles when drawing

23 Months

I know where my toys go! - Remembers where objects belong


Searches for objects in different places

Up and down I go! - Goes up and down a slide


Walks up and down the stairs by placing both feet on each step

Stringing beads, one by one! - Strings one-inch beads


Uses hand-eye coordination in a more controlled manner, e.g., completes puzzles, strings beads

The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round…- Sings phrases of songs


Has a vocabulary of more than 300 words

24 Months

My block is a phone! - Begins engaging in simple pretend play


Pretends one object is really another by using substitution, e.g., a napkin for a baby’s diaper

Let’s put these in order - Nests blocks or stacks rings in right order when shown


Controls placement of objects in a more effective manner, e.g., stacks blocks in a more orderly fashion

My many colored feelings - What emotions does your toddler express?


Expresses wonder and delight while exploring the environment and engaging others

The cow says moo! - Matches sounds to animals


Begins to identify characteristics of animals, e.g., “The dog barks”

25 Months

I can pedal my trike! - Rides a tricycle


Pedals a tricycle with both feet

I can eat all by myself and it is messy and fun! - Feeds himself


Performs some self-care tasks regularly and mostly independently e.g., brushes teeth, washes hands, places cup in sink

I think I need to go! - Begins to anticipate the need to go potty

21-36 months, Self-Regulation, Physiological Regulation

Demonstrates a readiness to begin toilet training

Help me get to the next step - Transitioning in activities


Transitions smoothly if is prepared ahead of time

26 Months

We are family! - Names people in family


Names people in his/her family and shares stories about them

1, 2, 3…count with me! - Understands the number one


Begins to identify quantity comparison, e.g., “Which group has more blocks?”

Brush, brush, brush your teeth! - Brushes teeth with assistance


Performs some self-care tasks regularly and mostly independently e.g., brushes teeth, washes hands, places cup in sink

I want to make you feel better… - Is self-centered, but tries to comfort others


Responds to a child in distress in an attempted manner to make that child feel better, e.g., gives a crying child a hug, uses soothing words, or uses distraction

27 Months

I can take off my clothes all by myself! - Independently removes clothes


Undresses independently but still needs assistance with dressing

My scribbles are starting to look more… - Draws “pictures”


Scribbles in a more orderly fashion and begins to name what he or she has drawn

Ask me a question, I bet I can answer it! - Answers questions


Responds verbally to an adult’s questions or comments

I love my baby doll? - Plays with dolls


Uses self-talk to extend play, e.g., says “now sleepy” to the baby doll after feeding it a bottle

28 Months

Circle to circle, square to square… - Matches shapes (circle, triangle, square)


Completes simple puzzles with less trial and error, e.g., can match a puzzle piece to its correct slot by identifying the size and shape by simply looking at it.

I can pay attention for a longer time, wow! - Gradually increases attention


Attention expands and stays focused on an activity or object even when distractions are present

Snip, snip, snip with my scissors! - Makes snips with scissors


Begins to use more complicated hand movements, e.g., uses eating utensils independently, stacks

I am a boy, I have brown hair - Identifies self as boy or girl


Begins to show an interest in describing physical characteristics, e.g., “I have blue eyes”

29 Months

This is for this and that is for that - Understands functionality of objects


Draws on past experience to describe and communicate about observations and experiences, e.g., knows what happens when one blows on a candle, discusses what happens to snow when the temperature

Say what? - What words do you hear from your toddler during play?


Uses self-talk to extend play, e.g., says “now sleepy” to the baby doll after feeding it a bottle

Bookworm - Looks at books on his own


Participates in early literacy activities independently, e.g., sits in a reading nook and browses through the pages

Come out, come out, wherever you are! - Plays hide and seek


Begins to use pronouns and prepositions, e.g., “He took my toy” and “on the table”

30 Months

Picture this - Imitates adult when coloring/drawing


Imitates familiar adults when coloring; draws lines and/or circles

So, this is what numbers mean! - Begins understanding the concept of numbers


Assigns meaning to numbers; understands the concept of a small number or big number, e.g., communicates “wow” when a caregiver shares that he or she is 35 years old

I'm giving it the boot! - Kicks a ball


Stands on one foot with support and maintains balance for a brief period of time

First this, then that - What happens next?


Expresses what happens next when reading a familiar book with a caregiver, e.g., uses gestures, words, and/or sounds

31 Months

I’ve got this grammar thing down! - What does the ____ say?


Begins to identify characteristics of animals, e.g., “The dog barks”

I want you, I don’t want you, I need you! - Often displays contradiction


Asks for help from familiar adults but pushes away and refuses help

How big is this? - Describing size


Uses words and gestures to describe size of objects

I pretend to be mommy, and teacher, doctor…- Enjoys pretend play


Takes on familiar roles during play, e.g., cooks in the pretend kitchen

32 Months

Let's talk? - Actively participates in conversations


Responds verbally and/or nonverbally to comments or questions while engaged in conversations with both peers and adults

SO, I think this means I have to go potty! - Begins to control bladder


Begins to demonstrate an interest in using the bathroom, e.g., wants to sit on “potty”

Is less more? - Which group has more?


Begins to identify quantity comparison, e.g., “Which group has more blocks?”

Let me sort these out - Identifies categories


Identifies categories, e.g., able to point out all the animals within a picture even with different types of objects represented

33 Months

Jump like a kangaroo - Jumps one to two feet in distance


Jumps forward a few inches; jumps from slightly elevated surface onto the ground

Let's make something - Likes creating


Participates in a broader array of experiences, e.g., outdoor jungle gyms, art projects

Will it float? - Learns about sinking and floating


Identifies various attributes of objects, food, and materials, e.g., color, shapes, size

I follow the rules! - Begins to follow simple rules


Pays attention to safety rules but still needs supervision to keep self safe

34 Months

Let me tell you about this - Draws picture and tells story about it


Creates an art project and creates a simple story to accompany the artwork

Blue and red make… - Plays with mixing colors


Engages in processes to reach an outcome, e.g., mixes three different colors of paint to see what color emerges

I can do that AND that - Follows multi-step directions


Comprehends compound statements and can follow multi-step directions

Make it stick! - Glues items on paper


Creates an art project and creates a simple story to accompany the artwork

35 Months

Suishy fun! - Plays with modeling dough


Adjusts approach to unknown objects, e.g., presses harder on a lump of clay

Red with red, circle with circle, I’ve got this! - Sorts colors and shapes


Purposefully arranges similar objects, e.g., divides plastic blocks into a red group, a blue group, and a yellow group

I look like a flamingo! - Stands on one foot for five seconds


Stands on one foot with support and maintains balance for a brief period of time

You can't pull a fast one on me! - Wants books read just as written (don’t skip)


Recites parts of a book from memory

36 Months

And a one, and a two - Knows sequencing


Builds in sequencing while engaged in play, e.g., beginning, middle, and end

A trusted friend - Likes characters in books


Identifies and discusses characters that are meaningful to him and her

Look at my vocabulary grow! - Learning prepositions


Understands simple sentences or directions with prepositions, e.g., “Put cup in sink”

Dancing to the beat! - Enjoys moving to music

16-24 months*, Approaches to Learning, Creativity, Inventiveness & Imagination

Communicates in creative ways, e.g., plays with words by rhyming, chanting, or making up songs; uses movement and dance *This is fun for all ages!!

baby talk ielg activities · 7-18 months, approaches to learning, persistence, effort &...

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