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Topic “Small group”

Contains activities or strategies suitable for a small group.

Indicates wanting more of an activity

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Bubbles/balloon	Blow some bubbles to get the child's attention / Blow a balloon up and then let the air out to make a noise. Get ready to do the activity again, but wait for the child to indicate that they want some more.	Use a phrase to encourage anticipation (for example "ready, steady......go!") Initially encourage eye contact to communicate wanting more. You can do this by holding the bubbles up near your face. As the child becomes more consistent in using eye contact encourage them to use the "more" sign by modelling this for them. The activity must be motivating for the child for this to work: do not labour the activity if the child is not interested in it.
Building a tower Bricks or stacking beakers.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Work in a quiet distraction free place. Make this activity fun and snappy! The activity must be motivating for the child for this to work: do not labour the activity if the child is not interested in it.
Making sand pies with a twist Small bucket Sand in a sand pit Spade Small animal to hide at the bottom of the bucket.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Have fun! The activity must be motivating for the child for this to work: do not labour the activity if the child is not interested in it.
Filling transparent container with bottle tops (or other items) Several containers Large amount of bottle tops (or other similar material)	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Have fun! Rattle the bag with the bottle tops, and give a lot of encouragement and praise. Make sure the child knows they are going to be rewarded with the desired object if they indicate more.

Reach to indicate wanting more of an activity

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Water play water tray or washing up bowl; containers of various sizes; sponges; apron(s).	1. Try actions that the child might enjoy, for example squeezing out the sponge, pouring water over their hands, flicking a little bit of water towards the child; 2. Stop and wait; 3. Look for any sign that the child might want the action repeated, this could be looking, smiling, a slight movement. For some children the only indication they might make is not moving their hands away; 4. Repeat the activity.	The purpose of this activity is to encourage children to use a developmentally early method of showing that they want some or more of an activity. This activity may be too low level for the child if they are beginning to make some other indication that they want some or more of an activity, for example using a gesture or sign, using some kind of vocalisation. Keep each go short so that the child has plenty of opportunities to indicate that they want the activity repeated. Do not continue the activity if there is any indication that the child does not want to do the activity. A helper sitting behind the child to assist them in making the reaching response can make this activity easier.
Personal battery operated fans Hand held battery operated fan.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Comments - see above.
Textures/messy play One or materials with different textures, for example: rough and smooth textures; shaving foam; play dough (you can make your own play dough very cheaply - see https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Affordable-Play-Dough/)	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Comments - see above.
Noise makers Musical instruments, for example: percussion instruments, battery operated musical toys.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	Comments - see above.
Cause and effect toys Any toys which have a quick response, e.g. a jack in a box.	Login or register to see the instructions for this activity.	For comments - see above.

Developing the skill of looking at and responding to another person

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Peek-a-boo - A piece of material - this could be a blanket, a muslin, a cloth, a scarf.	Sit down with your child. Call your child's name to encourage them to look at you. Hold up the cloth between yourself and your child so that you cannot see each other's faces. Make a noise to help your child anticipate what will happen, e.g. "ooooo". Pull the cloth down and say "boo" maintaining eye contact with your child. Wait for a response, e.g. your child smiling and then say "more" and repeat the activity.	Sit on the carpet or at a table dependent on where is most comfortable for your child. Your child may not respond to their name so you may need to make an interesting sound to get their attention.

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