Peek a Boo with Baby

I'd like to share a wee bit of the activities that we share with parents in our Early Communication Skills online home program for parents. One of the activities in the program is called PEEK A BOO.

Now, we've adapted the typical game of PEEK A BOO so that it helps your child learn joint attention and turn taking skills. What you need is a small blanket and a favorite stuffed animal. Then do the following:

1. First cover your child's head with the blanket and as you slowly take it off, sign and say "Where is Ben?"  When you've pulled the blanket off completely exclaim and sign "Peek A BOO" when you see his face.
2. Now, cover your head with the blanket and encourage your child to pull it off your head.  Help them if they need it.
3. Lastly, cover the stuffed animal with the blanket and as you slowly take it off, sign and say "Where is bear? When you've pulled the blanket off completely exclaim and sign "Peek A BOO" when you see the bear's face.

Remember to be animated. You want to get your child's attention and being animated, using movement (signs) and having fun with your voice will help get their attention. When you have their attention, they can learn!

Some wonderful books about playing PEEKABOO that you can share with your child include:

• Look Book by Tana Hoban
• Just Look by Tana Hoban
• Peek-A-Boo  by Francesca Ferri

Now I'd love to hear from you! I want to hear your stories! Share your stories and let us know how both you and your baby are doing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sara Bingham is the founder of WeeHands and the author of The Baby Signing Book. WeeHands is the world's leading children's sign language and language development program for babies, toddlers and preschool children.

Sara completed an honours Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at the University of Ottawa, and has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University. In addition, she has earned an honours post-graduate diploma from Georgian College, as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. 

Since 2001, across North America licensed WeeHands Instructors have taught thousands of families and caregivers to sign with their children. In a WeeHands baby sign language class, you and your family are taught by a qualified instructor to use American Sign Language signs, songs and language development strategies with your little one!