Fun language game to try, especially when you are going shopping and have a list. But it’s good for anytime. We play this game together as a group of 3 or 4. If you have a group of kids in the car or on a playdate it’s a quick bit of fun.
Game
You: I went to the shops/store and bought a tube of toothpaste.
Little One: I went to the shops/store and bought a tube of toothpaste AND a Cookie.
You: I went to the shops/store and bought a tube of toothpaste, a Cookie AND a bag of apples.
LO: I went to the shops/store and bought a tube of toothpaste, a Cookie, bag of apples AND a…….etc
- This memory game is fun and easy to keep them thinking and guessing. You can buy ridiculous things like Elephants and unusual things like happy smiles or Hot summer days .
- Change the rhyme to a different shop ( Electronics or Toy shop) or try ” I went for a walk and I saw a unicorn, a green frog, a puddle etc”
- With a smaller child you can change the game to be a call and response rhyme between them depending on how many words to remember. E.g.
BG:…… a toothbrush
LG: a cookie
BG: , a bag of apples, a fish.
- Add in adjectives and make the rhyme shorter
- E.g. Smelly fish, green apples, etc
- Change the rhyme to ..” I planned my dinner and in it I put a…” We tried this for fun at the dinner table last night with the food that was in front of us and it worked well. The Big guy added some silly foods in and it was funny all of us collapsing into laughter. Great way to get conversations started at dinner and discuss the food we’re eating.
- My LG is using sign language alongside his ‘words’ He gets to sign and say and we get to say or we learn a few signs and play the game using sign language. We only use 3 or 4 signs and stop when we forget or it’s not fun anymore.
- Actions: Similar to signing try imitating the action.. “I went to the shops and bought a …football, a brush, an ice cream, a Kangaroo etc.” Let the children find a good way of showing the action.
Keep the activity light and varied according to your kids. It’s an effective and fun way to learn new vocabulary, practice what they know, perhaps learn sign and improve their memory skills.
What other fun play activities do you do with your little ones using language?
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Technorati Tags: language, playdate, memory, sign language, play
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Stuck on play ideas?
“Play is the work of children”
Fredrick Froebel
Maybe you’re new to unplugged play or else you want to try some of these activities but not sure where to start. Besides the weekly play-activities newsletter, here’s a book chock full of suggestions.
Bobbi Conner also is the producer of The Parent’s Journal a podcast that features interviews from renowned authors and speakers in the area of child development. Bobbi’s down to earth interview technique ensures we get a glimpse into the lives of our children through articles, authors, suggestions and discussion from another perspective.
The blend of different speakers challenge our ” One parenting style fits all” and I believe helps us develop our own unique style suitable to our particular child(ren). At a time when we’re on a steep learning curve and families are developing.
Examples from this week’s podcast
HAPPY TRANSITIONS AT PRESCHOOL!
Bobbi interviews Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum directors of the 92nd St Y Nursery School in Manhattan and co-authors of Practical Wisdom for Parents: Demystifying the Preschool Years.
THE JOYS OF MUSIC FOR BABIES, TODDLERS, PRESCHOOLERS
Dr. John Feierabend chats about the role music plays in the early stages of childhood. Dr. Feierabendis a professor of music, founder and director of the National Center for Music and Movement in the Early Years, and author of The First Steps in Music series of books, DVDs and CDs.
PARENTING A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Amy Baskin offers wisdom to help moms take better care of themselves while parenting a child with spedical needs. Ms. Baskin is the co-author of More than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your child Has Special Needs
THE WE-CAN! PROGRAM TO STOP CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Karen Donato chats about the goals and objectives of the “WeCan” program. Ms. Donato is the director of the We Can! Program of the National Institute of Health (www.wecan.org)
Well worth a listen.
Today’s the final book giveaway of the week

Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun.
- Simply leave a comment on my blog during the party on this post.
- Plus a valid email address. Please don’t leave your email address in the comment section to avoid opening yourself up to spam.
- One winner will be randomly selected.
- All winners will be chosen on the last day(Friday) of the blog party. Notified by email.
- Winner: Congratulations Michelle Rosborough!
-
Comments and giveaways closes 12am MST Today on each of the four books. Remember you can enter each contest.
Thanks for joining in with the fun this week.
Join us over at Mommyfest 2008
and meet some new bloggers, enter contests and hear some speakers on a wide range of mom subjects.
If you haven’t caught my audio with Marie Ynami of Mommyfest.Click here.
Bobbi Conner’s Play interview of the week
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Technorati Tags: unplugged play, weekly play-activities, Bobbi Conner, The Parent’s Journal, child development, Mommyfest 2008
, Marie Ynami
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Stuck on baby play ideas?
Play-activities for babies? Singing, talking, changing them positions. There are so many things you can do with a baby. It’s not about hot housing them and trying to get them to do things before their appropriate developmental stage but instead stimulating, calming and soothing them into the world.
Baby play-activities encourage bonding and set the stage for play interaction as they get older. The best advice is to get outside and walk with your baby whatever the weather. It’s great for your mental health and the baby will enjoy the change of scene.
Example play-activities
Treasure basketsfor 6mtns+
Today’s giveaway is a book celebrating the first 12 months of parenting. Perfect gift for the pregnant mum or new mum.

The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with (and Without!) Your Baby
- Simply leave a comment on my blog during the party on this post.
- Plus a valid email address. Please don’t leave your email address in the comment section to avoid opening yourself up to spam.
- One winner will be randomly selected.
- All winners will be chosen on the last day(Friday) of the blog party. Notified by email.
- Winner: Congratulations Nicole J !
Join us over at Mommyfest 2008
and meet some new bloggers, enter contests and hear some speakers on a wide range of mom subjects.
If you haven’t caught my audio with Marie Ynami of Mommyfest.Click here.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Technorati Tags: baby play ideas, Treasure baskets, pregnant, The Rookie Mom’s Handbook, Marie Ynami
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Get moving play ideas?……..
Play activities includes movement. So activities here are not just crafty but get those big muscles going. We all know kids have boundless energy and we wish we could bottle just a bit of it
There are lots of fun easy activities that help expend some of that energy and encourage the children to master new skills.
Recent articles about movement
Run around to sit still
Play rangers
If you’re a fan of movement and children or want to find out more see our giveaway authors site: The Pica perspective.
Rae Pica also interviews other authors on play, learning, and movement at BAM radio.
If you haven’t done already, tune in to find out more about popular childhood topics using the Play button located in the top right corner of this blog or the home page. See below for example.

Prepare Your Child’s
Body and Mind
for Life!Listen to Body, Mind
and Child on
Play Activities Radio
|
There are lots of great books to help kick start your imagination and lead your children to enjoy their childhood job- play. See our recently updated recommendations.
Today’s giveaway

Jump into Literacy: Active Learning for Preschool Children
- Simply leave a comment on my blog during the party on this post.
- Plus a valid email address. Please don’t leave your email address in the comment section to avoid opening yourself up to spam.
- One winner will be randomly selected.
- All winners will be chosen on the last day(Friday) of the blog party. Notified by email.
- Winner: Congratulations Jo!
Join us over at Mommyfest 2008 and meet some new bloggers, enter contests and hear some speakers on a wide range of mom subjects.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Technorati Tags: Rae Pica, play, giveaway, Jump into Literacy: Active Learning for Preschool Children
, Mommyfest 2008, contests
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