GIOCHI

This section is dedicated to our little ones.
Here you’ll find some fun and easy game suggestions that baby can play at home, outdoors, with friends and on their own. And, what’s more, they can all be played using simple household objects too.

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T (1 year)

Here’s a classic, educational game, which has been purposely adapted for children of 12 months old. The simpler version can also be played as early as 8-9 months. Choose several objects that baby will recognise (spoon, bottle, ball, book, cuddly toy, etc.) and put them in a basket. One at a time, show the objects to the baby and ask them to tell you what it is, then hide it in a box or under a blanket. The ball’s over here… and now it’s gone, the object disappears and reappears – what fun! The idea is similar to the old game of “Peep-bo!”, which is often proposed to children at 5-6 months of age and helps to reassure the child: just because mum can’t be seen, it doesn’t mean she’s gone away. This type of activity helps them to discover and learn a fundamental concept: the permanency of objects – including mum.

THE SUITCASE OF SOUNDS (2-3years)

Find a large suitcase that can be opened in front of the seated players, without them being able to see what you’re doing. Pick a few objects that make noises that the children will recognise and ask them to guess what they are. You can use all sorts of household objects, like spoons, beakers, saucepan lids, pans, horns, bells, an alarm clock… Remember that the little ones mustn’t be able to see what you’re doing behind the suitcase. The aim of the game – much loved by toddlers – is to get them to identify both the noise and the object.

MYSTERY BOX (2-3 years)

Find a brown cardboard box (45-50 cm wide) and makes some holes on the longest two sides. When working out the size of the holes, bear in mind that the child needs to be able to put their hand and arm inside the hole so they can rummage around inside the box. One at a time, place different objects that the children will recognise into the box, making sure they are all safe to touch. Each child takes it in turns to put their hand inside a hole of their choice for approximately 30 seconds, before saying what they think the object is. When they have all had their turn, pull out the mystery object and give a red ribbon to the child who guesses the name of the object correctly.

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