Activities for Under 1's

[leannelizzy]

I am a member of a playgroup with 14 babies ranging from 6 to 8 months old (born between August and October 2004). As I am team leader next term I was looking for ideas of things to do with our babies. This term we have sat around, chatted about starting solids and milestones but we would all like to do more with our 2hr slot each week. Any ideas????

[Chickadee]

Surely there are some great ideas out there! Here are a few, possibly not so great, and some would only be for bubs that are at least sitting. If you're actually part of a playgroup association you should have access (possibly you have to pay) to someone who can come in and give you some other suggestions.

Finger painting - use edibles like ketchup/tomato sauce.

Rhymes and songs - most bubs love listening to their parents voices and anything rhythic is supposed to be good for their development (so I'm told). An idea would be for every parent to bring a song/rhyme and teach the others. Those with movement for bubs to watch or experience would be ideal.

Dancing with bubs (good exercise too!). Bubs can shake rattles or other noisy things to the music.

Crafts - most of these will be by the parent for bub to play with, but I've seen instructions for homemade rattles & other toys that you could make. There are lots of websites with suggestions and directions.

Under a parachute - find a multicoloured sheet/parachute, lay bubs down on their backs and move the parachute up and down above them to music. (I borrowed this idea from Gymbaroo).

Sand play - sure, the bubs will eat some of it so buy a bag of clean play sand to use and some cheap trays or storage boxes (the ones that slide under a bed are good). They'll probably love the different texture as they grab handfuls.

Crawling over/under - Set up a route of low cushions, boxes to go through, tunnels. Encourage with rattles and toys if necessary. Make a race out of it?

Bring in a speaker/demonstrator - You can share the cost and often the "help" agencies that run education programs are willing to go to a group rather than have individuals come to them. I did this with my mothers group for a Ngala session on introducing solids. First aid for bubs is another excellent topic (plan on several sessions, the first aid courses are 3 to 6 hours total).

Good luck!
Martha

[leannelizzy]

Thanks Martha

We did the parachute one last week and I had a look in the storeroom - not a lot there I have to admit but I did see a couple of things. Our group from Term 1 are aged 6 to 8 months and we are about to have 15 new babies join our group (approx 3 to 6 month olds). For the first week I am going to organise bubble blowing where the bubs all sit in the middle of a circle (apart from Lachlan who will probably crawl away like he did with the parachute) and the mums will blow bubbles into the middle of the circle. Might work, it might not - it's worth a try.

I think we are going to organise a couple of speakers as well.

Surely there are other ideas out there... ... ...

[em's mum]

Hi Leanne,

I was recently in a book store (QBD from memory) and was looking at the baby books on feeding and came across a book of activities you can do with (from memory) newborns through to 4/5 year olds. It was based on "Gymboree" type activities. At the time I thought it was excellent because I am always looking for fun stuff to do with my 10 month old and have put it on my list of "to buy" things!! The only problem is, I cannot for the life of me remember what it was called!! :o Sorry!!! But maybe you could go to your local bookstore and have a look and see what sort of books they have - or better still the library - then it won't cost you anything!! Hopefully I will get back to that shopping centre sometime this week, so I'll zip in and see what its called and post it up here if you like. Sorry to give you such a vague answer, but hopefully it might give you somewhere to start.

[Kassiasmum]

Hi there,
the book Em's mum is talking about is called "baby play" by gymboree, you can also get "toddler play" by the same people. You should be able to get them from your local public library, I work in a public library and we have both.

Tracey

[leannelizzy]

Thanks Paula and Tracey

I'll check out our local library and see what they have. I've been looking in book stores but haven't found a great deal so the library might be the way to go.

Does anyone have any ideas they have tried at playgroup that were a resounding success?

[codysmum]

Hi Martha. Was wondering what area your playgroup is in? Me and a friend of mine were wanting to join one. We both have 5 month olds. Would love to hear from you if you would like some new members! Thanks! Codys mum. :)

[Chickadee]

Hi Martha. Was wondering what area your playgroup is in? Me and a friend of mine were wanting to join one. We both have 5 month olds. Would love to hear from you if you would like some new members! Thanks! Codys mum. :)

I have a confession: I'm not in a play group. My mothers group from the CHC formed one but they day they meet is one of the days I work so I haven't met up with them in nearly a year. I take Chloe to Gymbaroo instead.

You should be able to find lots of playgroups around tho, most that are always looking for new members. Mine met in Nedlands, but I noticed ads for some in Mosman Park when we were there and there are a bunch up here in Joondalup area (we move alot!). I know there is a playgroup association in WA, you could try finding one through there (http://www.playgroupwa.com.au) or check ads in your local paper and grocery store.

Good luck!
Martha