Learning Through Play in KayCare!

Examples of how infants/young toddlers will be "learning-through-play" in KayCare: First picture is my then 11 month old using colored strawberry yogurt to finger-paint in her high chair. Just for fun I also gave her a piece of paper with her name written in black frosting. All the "paint" is completely edible (and delicious too). This activity includes primary colors, mixing colors, sensory experience, and art. And it's safe and messy and fun!

infant finger-painting with colored yogurt (name is written in black frosting)

This next series of pictures is my now 12 month old doing various activities in her high chair:

First "sensory play" to explore the "cold" ice, "warm" water, and "slippery" soap. The icepop is unopenend but feels very "cold" as she handles it. This is safer than ice cubes and prevents choking in little ones that put everything in their mouth. When she is older I will use food coloring to color ice cubes, and we will paint with them outside on the concrete patio. The bowl of warm water offers a nice contrast to the cold icepop. As she explores, I emphasis the words and baby signs for "cold" and "warm." She also enjoys the feel of the slippery soap (tear-free and nontoxic as she may put it on her face/in her mouth).

Second is "find the ducky". First I hid the ducky and she found it, and then she hid the ducky for me to find it.

And lastly, she is just playing and splashing in the water!