
Discovery Play Activities with Your Young Child: Peek-a-Boo
Description
Playing peek-a-boo supports concepts like object permanence and predicting patterns, as well as social exchanges and social-emotional development.
Environment
- If possible, limit background noise & distractions
- Ensure the room is well-lit; if seated, use pillows to help position
- Keep your voice at a level that is comfortable for your child
- If you’re using materials like blankets or towels, put them within view and reach
Materials
- Have child’s assistive technology ready and available, including augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) device
- Consider using a Velcro strap to help remove the blanket or clothes
- If using blankets/towels, make sure they are large enough for your child to reach and pull off
Instruction
- Use a variety of methods of communication (e.g., sign language, gestures) to meaningfully engage children
- Model and demonstrate how to play peek-a-boo
- Use hand-over-hand or hand-under-hand to help your child to playpeek-a-boo
- Allow longer waiting time for child to respond and/or process this activity
- For children with blind/visual impairments, blow air on their face after removing the blanket
- Break the activity down into individual steps to help your child learn the routine