Baby Activities: 12 Months Old (Part 2)

Here are a few more simple activities that you can do with your 12 month old. You may also be interested in Part 1.

Lots of Socks: Emma likes to "help" me fold laundry, but sometimes her help is not so helpful. Letting her play with the socks in each load gives her something to do while I finish folding. The next time you're folding your clothes, pull a few socks out of the laundry basket and see if your baby is interested in trying one on. Sometimes I put a sock on Emma's foot and let her work at pulling it off. Your baby may enjoy tossing socks into the air. You can also fold socks inside themselves to create sock balls. Show your baby how to throw the sock balls into the laundry basket.

Icy Toys: This is a fun activity for bath time. Freeze a solid (not plush) toy in a plastic container filled with water. At bath time, put the frozen block with the toy inside in the tub with your baby and watch them play as the ice melts.

Easy Shakers: Making dinner just got a lot easier (and maybe a little more quiet)! Like most babies, Emma enjoys playing with pots and pans while I am busy in the kitchen, but she can get bored with that, and some days it is honestly too much noise for me. We all know how much babies love to make noise! Making a simple shaker is a good compromise. All you need as an empty plastic water bottle filled with rice or dried beans. Your baby will have fun making music, and you can get dinner on the table without getting a migraine!

Paper Play: Playing with paper is a great way for your baby to explore their sense of touch. Give your baby some different types of paper materials, such as plain printer paper, aluminum foil, wax paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, etc. Let your baby crumple, tear, fold each type of paper. You might be surprised how long this activity can keep your baby entertained!

Empty and Full: This activity is similar to the Dry and Wet Sensory Learning in Part 1. Simply fill a plastic water bottle or other clear container with some small objects such as buttons, dried beans, or pom-poms. Replace the lid tightly. Take a second water bottle, but leave it empty. Let your baby hold the full container and say, "Full." Then hold the empty container and say, "Empty." After playing for a while, ask your baby to hand you the full or empty container.  

And, of course...

Read! Reading is one of the best activities you can do with your child at any age!

A few of Emma's current favorites are:

• How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen
• The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord
• Duck & Goose 123 by Tad Hills

My 3 good things for today are:

1. One load of laundry is finished - including folding, putting away, and even ironing Derek's work clothes!
2. I was able to make meatballs, rice, steamed broccoli and fresh rolls for dinner while Emma was playing in the kitchen.
3. Emma got a new pair of shoes!