Ingredients:
- Blanket
- Plush Toy
- 2 players
Prep Time:
Recipe for Fun!
Peek-A-Boo is one of the first games you can play with a baby! Though it is traditionally played with a blanket, or by putting hands over the eyes - you can also play this with your baby’s favorite plush toy.
At what age can a baby play Peek-A-Boo? Peek-A-Boo can be played with newborn babies and can increase in complexity as your child ages. Children learn the concept of Object Permanence at around 4 months of age, but even a 1-month-old will enjoy the eye contact and parental interaction a game of Peek-A-Boo provides.
Tip for Playing Peek-A-Boo with a Baby: Your baby may be upset with the first few rounds of Peek-A-Boo. They will learn through repetition that you haven’t disappeared, and that you are initiating play. Start with hiding your own face for just a few seconds, and show a big, happy face when you reveal yourself. This way, your baby understands that the game is fun, and will soon copy your movements, hiding their own face.
How to Play Peek-A-Boo:
- Situate yourself close to your child so they can clearly see your face. If you are playing with a very young baby, keep in mind their eyesight is still developing and you need to be within a foot of their face to be seen clearly.
- Cover your face with your hands, a blanket or a stuffed toy.
- Dramatically open your hands or remove the blanket or stuffed toy from the front of your face and say in a loud happy voice, “Peek-A-Boo!”
- Repeat.
- Once your child is comfortable, you can cover their face with the object or their own hands and then do a quick reveal, so they can learn how to participate in the play.
The Benefits of a Game of Peek-A-Boo: Peek-A-Boo teaches a BIG lesson in Object Permanence. What is Object Permanence? Human beings aren’t born with the understanding that people, places, and things exist even though that can’t be seen, smelled, tasted, or touched. It’s one of the main reasons why a baby will get upset or express worry when their caretaker leaves the room. One of their favorite people just completely disappeared! Playing a repetitive game of Peek-A-Boo teaches your baby that even though you can’t be seen - you still exist and are there for them. Children also love repetitive games because they begin to learn cause and effect. You will know they are learning when their looks of worry turn to happy expressions of anticipated joy.