What are infant lap games?
Infant lap games are used to introduce babies to the idea of interacting with others. These games, while helping them develop their understanding of how to play with others, also are very fun and interesting for your baby.
How to play?
Infant lap games involve repeated, back and forth turn (your turn/my turn) play. They usually include silly sayings and/or nursery rhymes. The best way to play these games is to incorporate movements and words that are interesting to your child.
Examples of Infant Lap Games:
Peek-a-Boo
This game involves covering something (like a toy) or someone’s face (adult or baby) and then saying “Where is (insert name)?” After the face is uncovered you say, “Peek-a-Boo. I see you!”
- When you first start incorporating this game into your routine, you (the parent or caregiver) will be doing most of the work. As the game progresses, your child will become more involved.
Ride a Little Pony
This was one of my favorite games as a child. This game is more appropriate for infants who have head support and are able to sit up without help.
- Place your child in a sitting position on your lap facing you.
- Start to gently bounce him/her up and down and say “Ride a little pony up and down, ride a little pony up to town. Ride a little pony, don’t fall down!”
- When you say “don’t fall down”, open your knees and let your child slide between them.
I’m Gonna Catch You
During this game, the parent or caregiver says “I’m gonna get you” and repeats it three or four times.
- Each time you say the phrase, move closer and closer to your baby’s face.
- When you get close enough, kiss or tickle your baby’s neck.
Lap games can be played as often as your child wants to and enjoys them. It is O.K. if you think that your child does not enjoy one of the games. You can always move onto another one and try again later.
- After playing them for a while, your baby will catch on and start to perform some of the movements in the game (like bouncing on your lap during “Ride a Little Pony”).
Resources
The Handley Library offers the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Although 1,000 books seems like a huge number, if you read one book a day (or the same book day after day) you could finish in less than three years. With ten books a week, you will be done in less than two years. For more information, you can visit a Youth Services Desk at any branch.