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.

• Swing

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.

For young infants who can sit supported, place the infant in an appropriately sized baby swing. Swing the infant gently two to three times. Stop and ask: “Do you want MORE swinging?” Wait to see if the infant indicates MORE by moving, smiling or perhaps vocalizing. When the infant indicates MORE, say: “Oh, (child’s name) wants MORE swinging.” Then push the infant again in the swing two to three times. Continue swinging, stopping and starting as long as the infant is enjoying the activity. If the infant indicates that he/she no longer wants to be in the swing, say: “Oh, (child’s name) is ALL DONE swinging.” Take the infant out of the swing while repeating “ALL DONE swinging.”

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.

• Swing

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.

Place the infant in an appropriatly sized baby swing. Swing the infant gently two to three times. Stop and ask: “Do you want MORE swinging?” Wait to see if the infant indicates MORE by smiling, vocalizing or signing. When the infant indicates MORE, say: “Oh, (child’s name) wants MORE swinging.” Then push the infant again in the swing two to three times. Continue swinging, stopping and starting as long as the infant is enjoying the activity. If the infant indicates that he/she no longer wants to be in the swing by fussing, signing or putting his/her arms out for up, say: “Oh, (child’s name) is ALL DONE swinging.” Take the infant out of the swing while repeating “ALL DONE swinging.”

• Swing

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.

Place the infant in an appropriately sized baby swing. Swing the infant gently two to three times. Stop and ask: “Do you want MORE swinging?” Wait to see if the infant indicates MORE by saying or signing the word MORE. When the infant indicates MORE, say: “Oh, (child’s name) wants MORE swinging.” Then push the infant again in the swing two to three times. Continue swinging, stopping and starting as long as the infant is enjoying the activity. If the infant indicates that he/she no longer wants to be in the swing by fussing or saying or signing ALL DONE, say: “Oh, (child’s name) is ALL DONE swinging.” Take the infant out of the swing while repeating “ALL DONE swinging.”