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.

• Infant swing
• Stroller

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 you swing or walk with a young infant outdoors, use the words “STOP” and “GO” to label the infant’s movements. When you begin to push the infant on the swing or in the stroller, say: “GO!” and when you STOP, say: “STOP!”

Add music or rhythm to your play or walks. Feeling rhythm is an important early math skill, and music is an excellent way to help infants explore STOP and GO. When you start walking, say: “GO” and begin singing a playful song. Give the infant a toy to shake as you sing and stroll. STOP throughout the walk for a few moments and say: “STOP” each time you stop moving, and also stop singing. Then repeat as you start up your stroll again.

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.

• Infant swing
  OR
• Outdoor play surface safe for crawling and cruising
• Push toys
  OR
• Stroller
• Rattle/noise maker

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 you swing or walk with the infant outdoors, use the words “STOP” and “GO” to label the infant’s movements. When you begin to push the infant on the swing or in the stroller, say: “GO!”When you stop, say: “STOP!”

Add music or rhythm to your play or walks. Feeling rhythm is an important early math skill, and music is an excellent way to help infants explore STOP and GO. When you start walking, say: “GO.” Begin singing a playful song. Give the infant a toy to shake as you sing and stroll. STOP throughout the walk for a few moments. Say: “STOP” each time you stop moving and also stop singing. Then repeat as you start up your stroll again.

For infants who are crawling and cruising, use the infant’s own movements to help the infant learn STOP and GO. When the infant is on the move, crawling or cruising, cheer the infant on, saying: “GO! GO! GO!” When the infant stops, say: “STOP!” Then repeat “GO!” when the infant starts moving again. Most infants love a cheering audience!

• Outdoor play surface safe for crawling, cruising and walking
• Push toys

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 an infant who is on the go, use the infant’s own movements to help the infant learn STOP and GO. When the infant is on the move, crawling, cruising with push toys or walking, cheer the infant on, saying: “GO! GO! GO!” When the infant STOPS, say, “STOP!” Then repeat: “GO!” when the infant starts moving again. Most infants love a cheering audience!

Play games that include the words STOP and GO and movements. Set up a pretend race track in a circle and have the infant pretend to be a vehicle or push a vehicle as the infant zooms with you around the race track. Use the words STOP and GO during this playful game. Before the infant begins moving, count 1-2–3.

Or get the infant moving with a game like freeze dance, when the infant follows your lead for stopping and going. When you say: “GO,” begin singing and dancing. When you say: “STOP” model standing still. Then start again. Children will love imitating and laughing as they dance and then freeze.