B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

W
H A T
’
S
B
E I N G
L
E A R N E D
Children are focusing on making the Ping-Pong balls go in the can and devel-
oping their eye-hand coordination. They are also taking in the sensory details
of the game, learning about weight, movement, size, shape, and sound.
If they make up their own variations of the game, their creativity is also
being stimulated.
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Attention Games
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Surprise Me
Expecting the unexpected keeps young children interested and focused on
their surroundings and the people in it. This is a simple game that you
probably do anyway, with one little twist.
T
Y P E O F
A
T T E N T I O N
E
N C O U R A G E D
Open
M
A T E R I A L S
Small items found around the house, such as corks, coins, pen tops,
and marbles. (CAUTION: to avoid the possibility that your child
might put these objects in her mouth, be sure not to let her have
any of them.)
D
I R E C T I O N S
Hide something, such as a cork, in your fist and let your little one pry open
your fingers one at a time to find the treasure. Switch the object to the other
hand. Let her open your fingers to find it again.
Now comes the SURPRISE part. After playing the game several times,
surreptitiously slip a coin or other small object into your fist instead of the
cork. The next uncurling of your fingers will surprise and delight your
child. Expect her to want you to do it again many times. When she least
expects it, changes the item again!
V
A R I A T I O N S
You could hide things under one of three upside-down cans. You scoot the
cans around, and your player has to point to the can that has the hidden
object under it. If you are very quick or can distract her attention for a
moment (“Hey, look at that bird. Oh, you must have missed it”), switch the
object under the can and surprise her.