Early Math Counts

Play: Infants begin by using their eyes to explore toys and then begin to use their hands and mouths to explore. Their play is primarily shaking, banging and mouthing. At the end of this stage, they begin to look for dropped toys and may find a partially hidden object.

Communication: Young infants recognize their parents and familiar caregivers. They smile and laugh during playful interactions such as peek-a-boo. They make early cooing and babbling sounds.

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Changing Table

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

Diapering is a great time to practice UP and DOWN. Before you place the infant on the changing table, say or sing: “time for a fresh diaper.” Hold your arms out toward the infant and touch the infant’s hands. Say: “UP” as you pick the infant up. As you place the infant on the changing table, say: “DOWN.” When lifting the infant’s bottom to place the diaper under him/her, say: “Legs UP.” When fastening the diaper, say:  “Legs DOWN.” When diapering is finished, hold your arms out toward the infant and touch the infant’s hands. Say “UP” as you pick the infant up and “DOWN” as you place the infant back down on the floor to play.

Play: At the beginning of this stage, play is mostly shaking, banging and mouthing toys. By the end of this stage, infants begin to combine objects that go together in play. They reach for and hold two objects and may begin to reach for a third. Many infants will look for dropped toys and find partially and completely hidden toys. Many infants enjoy taking objects out of containers and putting them back in.

Communication: At this age, infants respond when their names are called. They may turn their heads, make eye contact and sometimes smile and vocalize. They may look for family members and pets when called by name. They may respond to simple requests made with gestures, such as: “Come here.” They may understand “No” or “Stop.” They may lift their arms to be picked up, clap hands and wave bye-bye. They love to shout and squeal and may be babbling with many different sounds. They may be participating in and sometimes initiating peek-a-boo.

Motor: During this stage, many infants begin to sit by themselves and play. They begin to move by rolling, crawling and cruising. They pick up toys by using a raking motion with their whole hand and, by the end of this stage, they are using their fingers and thumbs to pick up small objects. They may feed themselves small bits of food.

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Changing Table

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

As young infants begin to roll and crawl, diapering can become a challenge. Singing a song throughout the process can increase the infant’s cooperation. Before you place the infant on the changing table, begin singing the “Diaper Change Time” song to the tune of Frère Jacques.

First Verse
“Diaper change time, diaper change time, UP UP UP, UP UP UP, (child’s name) needs clean pants, (child’s name) needs clean pants, DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN DOWN.”

Approach the infant singing the first line of the song: “Diaper change time, diaper change time.” Hold your arms out toward the infant, singing the second line: “UP UP UP, UP UP UP.” Wait a few seconds to allow the infant to put his/her arms up. If the infant doesn’t put his/her arms out, touch the infant’s hands. As you carry the infant to the changing table, sing the third line: “(Child’s name) needs clean pants, (child’s name) needs clean pants.” As you place the infant on the changing table, sing the fourth line: “DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN DOWN.”

Second Verse
“Diaper change time, diaper change time, legs are UP, legs are UP, (child’s name) has clean pants, (child’s name) has clean pants, legs are DOWN, legs are DOWN.”

Sing the first line of the second verse as you unfasten the infant’s diaper: “Diaper change time, diaper change time.” Sing the second line: “Legs are UP, legs are UP.” Wait to see if the infant brings up his/her legs. As you place the clean diaper under the infant, sing the third line of the song: “(Child’s name) has clean pants (child’s name) has clean pants.” When fastening the diaper, sing the final line of the song: “Legs are DOWN, legs are DOWN.” When diapering is finished, hold your arms out toward the infant and say: “UP.” Wait for the infant to put his/her arms up and/or vocalize. Say: “UP” as you pick the infant up and “DOWN” as you place the infant back down on the floor to play.

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Changing Table

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

Diapering can be quite a challenge at this age. Singing a song throughout the process can increase the infant’s cooperation. Before you place the infant on the changing table, begin singing the “Diaper Change Time” song to the tune of Frère Jacques.

First Verse
“Diaper change time, diaper change time, UP UP UP, UP UP UP, (child’s name) needs clean pants, (child’s name) needs clean pants, DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN DOWN.”

Approach the infant singing the first line of the song: “Diaper change time, diaper change time.” Hold your arms out toward the infant, singing the second line: “UP UP UP, UP UP UP.” Wait for the infant to put his/her arms out and/or vocalize. As you carry the infant to the changing table, sing the third line: “(Child’s name) needs clean pants, (child’s name) needs clean pants. As you place the infant on the changing table, sing the fourth line: “DOWN DOWN DOWN, DOWN DOWN DOWN.”

Second Verse
“Diaper change time, diaper change time, legs are UP, legs are UP, (child’s name) has clean pants, (child’s name) has clean pants, legs are DOWN, legs are DOWN.”

Sing the first line of the second verse as you unfasten the infant’s diaper: “Diaper change time, diaper change time.” Sing the second line: “Legs are UP, legs are UP.” Wait to see if the infant brings his/her legs up. As you place the clean diaper under the infant, sing the third line of the song: “(Child’s name) has clean pants, (child’s name) has clean pants.” When fastening the diaper, sing the final line of the song: “Legs are DOWN, legs are DOWN.”  When diapering is finished, hold your arms out toward the infant and say: “UP.” Wait for the infant to put up his/her arms and/or vocalize. Say “UP” as you pick the infant up and “DOWN” as you place the infant back down on the floor to play.