English for Babies: Toys

Read and Listen: New Words

1. ball
2. block
3. teddy
4. car
5. ring

On my lap

1. Put the baby on your lap.
2. Listen to the new words.
3. Point at the picture on the screen.
4. Repeat using your own voice.
5. Ask your baby to point to a toy as you say a word.
6. Ask your baby a question:
   Where's the ball?
   Where's the teddy?
   
7. Tell the baby the answer:
   There's the block.
   There's the car.
   
8. Show excitement when he points.
   Clap your hands and say:
   That's right!
   That's the ball.
   Good job!

Song, Rhyme or Story time

Here are some rhymes with actions:

Round and Round

Round and round the garden (draw a circle on baby's stomach or palm)
Like a Teddy Bear
One step (take steps with your fingers up her belly or arm)
Two steps
Tickle you under there (tickle baby under her chin or armpit)

Note: You can use a teddy bear to do the actions or you can do the actions.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Turn around (spin in a circle)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Touch the ground (touch the ground)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Show your shoe (point foot towards baby)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
That will do (clap)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Blow out the light (blow out a pretend candle)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Say Good Night (put head down or close eyes)

The Bouncy Bouncy Ball

(Sing to traditional "Wheels on the Bus" tune.)

The bouncy bouncy ball went bounce bounce bounce
bounce bounce bounce
bounce bounce bounce
The bouncy bouncy ball went bounce bounce bounce
all through the house

And the baby named Joey said ball ball ball
ball ball ball
ball ball ball
The baby named Joey said ball ball ball
all through the hall.

Playtime

Roll the ball

You may need two adults to play ball with your baby at first. Older babies can play with one adult.

1. Sit on the floor with your baby.
2. Ask someone to roll the ball to him or her. Say "Ball for baby".
3. Help your baby roll the ball back. Say "Ball for Daddy/Sister...".
4. Repeat until the baby is finished playing.

When the baby is old enough to play ball on her own, add the word "catch".

1. Roll the ball to the baby.
2. After you roll it say, "catch".
3. Once your baby has the ball encourage her to roll it back to you. Say: "Roll to mommy." Don't be surprised if she throws it instead.

Riding Toys

Make English Car sounds as your baby rides.
Vroom Vroom (go forward)
Beep Beep (honk horn)
Crash (when baby bumps into a wall or piece of furniture)

Playing with blocks

1. When your baby is sleeping or with another caregiver choose five blocks.
2. Make a tower somewhere in your home.
3. Ask the baby to help you find the tower. Say: "Where are the blocks?"
4. If your baby doesn't crawl or walk yet, carry your baby into a few rooms before you point to the tower.
5. When she sees them say "Blocks!"
6. Sit your baby down and let her push the blocks down.
7. For older babies: Crawl around with baby. Let your baby find the blocks. Encourage her to knock them down. Say, "Oh no" or "Uh oh" when the blocks fall down.

Playing with rings
Babies love brightly coloured plastic rings. Rings are easy for babies to hold. Teething babies like to chew them. Rings can be used for counting and learning colours.