Early Math Counts

• Bib
• Bottle
• Spoon
• Bowl
• Pureed fruits and vegetables

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.

Bottle-Feeding: After burping the infant, bring the partially-full bottle back to the infant and ask: “Do you want MORE?” When the infant looks at the bottle or reaches for the bottle, say: “Oh, (infant’s name) wants MORE.” Then, give the infant MORE. If the infant looks away or arches away or pushes the bottle away, say: “Oh, (infant’s name) is ALL DONE.” Take off the bib to show that the routine is over, repeating, “ALL DONE” in a singsong voice.

Spoon-Feeding: Show the infant the bowl filled with food and the spoon. After the infant’s first bite, hold up the bowl and spoon and say: “Do you want MORE?” When the infant looks at the spoon and opens his/her mouth, say: “Oh, (infant’s name) wants MORE.” Then give the infant MORE. If the infant looks away or arches away or pushes the spoon away, say: “Oh, (infant’s name) is ALL DONE.” Put the food away, take the bib off to show that the routine is over, repeating: “ALL DONE” in a singsong voice.

• Sippy cup
• Bib
• Spoon
• Bowl
• Food (mashed and finger foods)

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.

Cup Drinking: Pour only small amounts of water into the sippy cup. When the infant takes a break or the cup is empty, ask: “MORE or ALL DONE?” Wait for the infant to respond by vocalizing, gesturing, pointing, reaching or pushing away. If the cup is empty, turn the cup upside down and say: “The water is all gone.” Either pour MORE water into the cup and ask again: “MORE or ALL DONE” or put the cup away while saying or singing: “Water is all gone. (Infant’s name) is ALL DONE with water. Bye-bye water.”

Spoon Feeding: Place a small amount of food in the bowl. Preload a small amount of food onto the spoon and give the spoon to the infant. After the infant takes the food off the spoon, ask: “MORE or ALL DONE?” Hold out your hand and wait for the infant to show you he/she wants MORE or is ALL DONE by vocalizing, gesturing, pointing, giving you the spoon or pushing away. If the infant drops the spoon on the floor, pick up the spoon and ask: “MORE or ALL DONE?” and respond to the infant’s signals. When the bowl is empty, turn it upside down and say: “The food is all gone.” Either put MORE food in the bowl and ask again: “MORE or ALL DONE?” or put the bowl away while saying or singing: “Food is all gone. (Infant’s name) is ALL DONE. Bye-bye food.”

Finger Foods: Offer the infant one or two pieces of a finger food. When the infant is finished, say: “MORE or ALL DONE?” Wait a minute to see if the infant requests MORE or shows you ALL DONE with vocalizations, gestures, pointing, reaching or pushing away. If the infant requests MORE, then say: “MORE Cheerios.” Give the infant one to two MORE Cheerios. When the infant shows signs of being ALL DONE or the food is all gone, say: “ALL DONE” and remove the high chair tray to show that meal time is ALL DONE while saying or singing: “Food is all gone. (Infant’s name) is ALL DONE. Bye-bye food.”

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.

• Cup
• Spoon
• Bowl
• Table food
• Bib

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.

Cup Drinking: Pour only small amounts of water into the cup. When the infant takes a break or the cup is empty, ask: “MORE or ALL DONE?” Wait for the infant to respond by using the words MORE or ALL DONE or signing, pointing, reaching or pushing away. If the cup is empty, turn the cup upside down and say: “The water is all gone.” Either pour MORE water and repeat: “MORE or ALL DONE” or put the cup away while singing an “ALL DONE” song.

Spoon Feeding: Place a small amount of food in the bowl and give the spoon and bowl to the infant. Allow the infant to finish the food. Then ask: “MORE or ALL DONE?” Wait for the infant to respond by using the words “MORE” or “ALL DONE” or signing, pointing, reaching or pushing away. Turn the empty bowl upside down and say: “The food is all gone.” Either put MORE food in the bowl and repeat asking “MORE or ALL DONE” or put the bowl away while singing an “ALL DONE” song.

Finger Foods: Offer the infant only two types of food, one to two pieces of each. When the infant is finished, wait a minute to see if the infant requests MORE. When the infant makes a request, say: “MORE chicken” as you give the infant MORE chicken. If the infant does not request MORE on his/her own, ask: “MORE chicken or MORE sweet potato?” Wait for the infant to respond by using words, signing, pointing or reaching. When the infant shows signs of being ALL DONE or the food is all gone, say: “ALL DONE” while removing the high chair tray to show that meal time is over and singing an “ALL DONE” song.