Tag: car rides

Nursery Rhyme Fun

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Nursery Rhyme Fun (3)

No doubt your toddler has favorite nursery rhymes by about age 2, and probably knows a few of them by heart. Play this game to help with memorization, rhyming, and language learning. It’s perfect for car rides because it’s hands-free and requires no props. Though of course you can play at home, too.

Start a favorite nursery rhyme, but stop before the rhyming word at the end of a sentence. So for example, “Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his…” It was her turn to chime in with, “Head!”

We played with other ditties too, “Hickory Dickory Dock.”

Nursery Rhyme Fun (1)

She also loves a song about a little red car, so we recited that one with props to help her chime in with the right word.

Nursery Rhyme Fun (2)

This game can easily be tailored to become more silly. Throw in a few fake verses and see if your toddler catches on to the error, e.g. “Hickory Dickory Dock, the mouse ran up the chimney”. One word of caution: whenever I do this, it makes Veronika cry! So skip it if your toddler prefers the true version.

Bedtime Tape

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Bedtime Tape (1)

Back in the day, this activity would have required a tape recorder and cassette player. Now all you need is the voice recorder on your smart phone, and you can make recordings for your baby – songs, books, favorite nursery rhymes, you name it.

These little audio clips are great to have on hand when you can’t be there for bedtime. Pass along the files to grandparents or other caretakers, and your little one can hear your voice even when you’re gone!

First, I read through one of Veronika’s favorite bedtime books. As I recorded, she sat in my lap and looked at the pictures, cooing and gurgling.

Bedtime Tape (2)

It makes the audio even more special that she’s on it!

Next I recorded a short lullaby, while she listened with wonder.

Bedtime Tape (4)

She seemed to be asking why I was singing the song during the day!

Bedtime Tape (5)

In fact, don’t feel like you need to save these clips for babysitting nights; Veronika liked listening to the book recording while she played.

Bedtime Tape (3)

The clips are also great for car trips – it’s exactly like having a book on tape, except one that you made, instead of one you need to purchase.

Bedtime Tape (6)

VIsual Reassurance

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Visual Reassure (3)

If your infant has a hard time on car rides, whether that means crying for you, simply fussing, or generally seeming to miss you, then this game is for you!

It can be tough for infants who need to ride backwards, since they can hear your voice, but they can’t see you. I love having a mirror hanging in the backseat so I can see Veronika, but that doesn’t mean she can see me!

Cue this adorable idea: tape up pictures of mom, dad, and other key family members.

Visual Reassure (1)

I had cheap prints made at the drugstore, and first let Veronika take a look at them. She was instantly really clued into them, clearly recognizing faces of her caregivers.

Visual Reassure (2)

A little tape and voila, I had a collage of family members up on the mirror. She seemed to love gazing up!

Visual Reassure (4)

If you want to make the pictures more permanent, laminate them before hanging.

I love that this gives her something interesting to look at, now, as well providing reassurance that I’m there, even when she can’t see me at the wheel. How do you keep your infant happy in the car? Please share in the comments!