Playing
With Sponges
Set out a dishpan of water and a variety of sponges. Have
your child put the sponges into the water. Let your child
experiment with squeezing and floating the sponges and using
them to make bubbles. Give your child various small objects
to balance on top of the sponges. Talk to your child about
what is happening.
Washcloth
Puppet
Use embroidery thread to sew facial features on a washcloth.
Place another washcloth on top of the cloth with the face.
Sew the washcloths together to make a mitt shape, leaving
the bottom edges open. Use the puppet with your toddler in
the bathtub. As you are washing your child, have the puppet
"talk" about the body parts that are being washed.
Let your child have a turn with the puppet. Ask your child
what the puppet's name is, what the puppet likes to do, etc.
Doll
Bathing
Give your child a baby doll that he or she can play with in
the bathtub or wading pool. Show your child how to wash his
or her doll's head, arms, legs, and so on.
Going
Boating
Collect a variety of foil pans. Fill a wading pool or bathtub
with water. Put the pans into the water. Let your child play
with the foil pan "boats". Show him or her how you
can place small toy "passengers" in the boats. This
activity is great for either outdoor or indoor fun.
Bubble
Bath
Spread an old shower curtain or plastic tablecloth on the
floor. Fill a dishpan halfway with warm water and add a few
squirts of liquid dishwashing detergent to the water. Set
the dishpan on the shower curtain. Let your child have fun
creating bubbles in the water. Add a few drops of food coloring
to the water to make colorful bubbles, if you wish.
