SparKits
Shake Roll Explore
Let's Begin
Gather Materials
Clear plastic water bottles
Small, interesting items to put in the empty bottle (e.g. pebbles, pom-poms, dry beans, cut yarn or ribbon)
Super glue
Masking tape
Steps
- Choose if you would like to fill the bottle partway with water, or put items in the empty bottle. If left empty, your child may enjoy the sounds when they shake it.
- Place the small objects in the bottle. Secure lid with super glue and tape.
- Place baby on his tummy or in a sitting position.
- Place the bottle in front of him and roll it just out of reach. Shake it to grab his attention, encourage him to reach for it or attempt to crawl to it.
- Once he has the bottle, celebrate his success and explore the bottle with him. Babies love to repeat, so do it again and again!
CDC Milestones
Curious about your child’s development? All children develop at their own pace, but the Center for Disease Control’s developmental milestones can be a helpful guideline. Here are a few examples:
1-year-old
- Shows fear in some situations
- Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
- Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
18-months-old
- Explores alone but with parent close by
- Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures
- Drinks from a cup
2-years-old
- Shows more and more independence
- Knows names of familiar people and body parts
- Might use one hand more than the other
Additional family resources
Early Learning with ECA
Learning begins at birth. ECA provides foundations for learning, starting with age-appropriate experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool. ECA also offers a range of family support programs that encourage family involvement with children’s learning.
Free tips and learning games
This free texting service provides quality, developmental information for parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight right to your phone. Messages include research-based, age-appropriate content from national experts, along with local updates of events and resources.
Free resources at your library
Your local library has many resources for you as a parent as well as for your child. We encourage you to take advantage of all they have to offer. For an online list of libraries by city, go to publiclibraries.com/state
Find help in your community
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-502-0700 for free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance. Trained 2-1-1 Specialists can connect you to local organizations that can assist you with food, housing, health care, transportation, education and more.
Find a library near you...
Use of the materials described above are done so at your own risk and any children interacting with these materials should do so only under close adult supervision.
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