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.

Motor: When placed on their tummies, infants learn to hold up their heads and reach for toys. They begin to reach and grasp for objects, beginning with the caregivers’ clothes and hair and then moving on to toys and objects. At the end of this stage, many infants may help hold their own bottles and help bring the bottles to their mouths. They may also begin to take pureed food from a spoon.

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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.

Drop-off in the morning: Drop-off time is a good time to teach OPEN and CLOSE as parents and children enter and leave your child care center. When you OPEN the door for the family, say: “Good morning (child’s name), the door is OPEN.” Once the family is inside, as you CLOSE the door, say: “The door is CLOSED.” Do your typical routine at drop-off with the family. When the parent is ready to leave, take the infant to the door to say goodbye. As the parent goes out the door, say: “Bye bye, mommy/daddy, the door is OPEN.” As you CLOSE the door, say: “I am CLOSING the door.”

Pickup time in the evening: When parents come to pick up their infant in the evening, use OPEN and CLOSE language again. As you OPEN the door for the parents, say: “The door is OPEN.” After the parents enter and as you are CLOSING the door, say: “The door is CLOSED.” After the typical pickup time routine is completed and the family is ready to leave, say: “I am OPENING the door.” As you CLOSE the door, say: “Bye-bye (child’s name), I am now CLOSING the door.”

• None

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.

Drop-off in the morning: Drop-off time is a good time to teach OPEN and CLOSE as parents and children enter and leave your child care center. When you OPEN the door for the family, say: “Good morning (child’s name), the door is OPEN.”  Point to the OPEN door. Once the family is inside, as you CLOSE the door, say: “The door is CLOSED.” Point to the CLOSED door. Do your typical routine at drop-off with the family. When the parent is ready to leave, take the infant to the door to say goodbye. As the parent goes out the door, say: “Bye bye, mommy/daddy, the door is OPEN.” Point to the OPEN door. As you CLOSE the door, say: “I am CLOSING the door.” Point to the CLOSED door.

Pickup time in the evening: When parents come to pick up their infant in the evening, use OPEN and CLOSE language again. As you OPEN the door for parents, say: “The door is OPEN.” Point to the OPEN door. After the parents enter and as you are CLOSING the door, say: “The door is CLOSED.” Point to the CLOSED door. After the typical pickup time routine is completed and the family is ready to leave, say: “I am OPENING the door.” As you close the door, say: “Bye-bye (child’s name), I am CLOSING the door now.”

Play: At the beginning of this stage, many infants are imitating the use of everyday objects such as cups and spoons. This moves into early pretend play, when the infant may feed you or pretend to drink from a cup or eat off of an empty spoon. They also are great imitators and may enjoy imitating daily activities. They may enjoy putting multiple objects into containers and systematically searching for hidden toys and objects. Many infants will pat pictures in books and sometimes vocalize while looking at books.

Communication: At the beginning of this stage, many infants begin to respond to one-step directions such as: “Give me the ball.” They may need gestures to help them understand the direction. At the end of this stage, many infants follow a related two-step direction without the help of gestures, such as: “Get the ball and give it to Daddy.” They may be pointing to ask for wants and needs and to ask you to name objects. At around 12 months of age, many infants say one to three words on their own and, by the end of this stage, may say up to 15 words or more. Many infants play turn-taking games at this stage.

Motor: At the beginning of this stage, many infants are crawling and cruising to get around and, by the end of this stage, infants are walking with good balance. They may also enjoy walking while carrying large objects and pulling toys. When given a crayon for the first time, they may mouth the crayon or mark the paper. By the end of this stage, many infants are scribbling on paper. They may be starting to scoop food with a spoon and actually get some to their mouths. Infants may also be using a straw or an open cup to drink.

• None

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.

Drop-off in the morning: Drop-off time is a good time to teach OPEN and CLOSE as parents and children enter and leave your child care center. When you OPEN the door for the family, say: “Good morning (child’s name), the door is OPEN.” Once the family is inside, say: “I need help, let’s CLOSE the door.” Encourage the child to push the door CLOSED with you. Once the door is CLOSED, say: “The door is CLOSED. (Child’s name) helped CLOSE the door.” Do your typical routine at drop-off with the family. When the parent is ready to leave, take the infant to the door to say goodbye. Say: “(Child’s name), I need help OPENING the door.” Encourage the child to assist you in OPENING the door by pushing it further OPEN, pulling down the lever or turning the door knob. As the parent goes out the door, say: “Bye bye, mommy/daddy, the door is OPEN.” As the parents walk away, say: “I need help CLOSING the door.” Encourage the child to push the door CLOSED. As you and the child CLOSE the door, say: “(Child’s name) is CLOSING the door.”

Pickup time in the evening: When parents come to pick up their infant in the evening, use OPEN and CLOSE language again. Before you OPEN the door for parents, say: “(Child’s name), I need help OPENING the door.” Encourage the infant to assist you in OPENING the door by pushing it further OPEN, pulling down the lever or turning the door knob. Say: “(Child’s name) is OPENING the door.” Once the door is OPEN, say: “(Child’s name) OPENED the door.” After the parents enter, say: “I need help CLOSING the door.” Encourage the child to push the door CLOSED. As you and the child CLOSE the door, say: “(Child’s name) is CLOSING the door.” After the typical pickup time routine is completed and the family is ready to leave, say: “I am OPENING the door.” As you CLOSE the door, say: “Bye-bye (child’s name), I am CLOSING the door now.”