Rub a Dub Dub: Fun in the Tub
Prep:聽2鈥3 Minutes | Activity Time: 10 Minutes
During this phase of鈥痮ral language鈥痙evelopment, infants begin to understand that they can share a mental focus for an object with another person. This is called鈥渋ntentional communication.鈥 Researchers agree that babies who engage in longer periods of shared attention with their caregivers at this phase of development will understand and use more words later on when they are talking. You can foster this important development by playing with your baby as you are bathing her in the tub!
- A bathtub containing lukewarm water聽
- Water-resistant bath toys that float, such as plastic rings, boats, fish, ducks, turtles, cups, etc.
Step 1:聽Place your baby in a sitting position in the bathtub with water. If she is just learning how to sit steadily, you can support her back with your hand.聽
Step 2:聽Select three鈥痓ath toys that are familiar to your baby.聽
Step 3:聽Place the floating toys in the water near your baby. Say the name of each object as you place it in the water. For example, you might say:
鈥淨uack, quack! Here comes the duck!鈥 or 鈥淚 see a sailboat!鈥澛
Step 4:聽Ask your baby to find or give you one of the toys. At first, your baby might respond only by looking at the object you requested. Respond to her by picking up the object and giving it to her so that she can explore the object. She will love to hear you talk about the toy by describing how it looks or by making funny sounds!聽
Step 5:聽As your baby gets older, she will reach for the toy that you request. She will love hearing you praise her as she reaches for the requested object. Be sure to pause after each request so that your baby has time to respond as well as explore the exciting toy!聽
Step 6:聽After she has shared her attention for the three selected objects, repeat the same game by using three different familiar bath toys, for as long as she is interested.聽