Playing Peekaboo
Peekaboo is a popular game among babies and toddlers! One great thing about peekaboo is there are lots of variations you can do to tailor it to your child’s abilities! Peekaboo is also great because it helps your child develop the understanding that people and things still exist when you cannot see/hear/touch them. Here are some suggestions on ways to play peekaboo.
Classic Peekaboo, I See You
In a place where your child can see you, cover your eyes with your hands. Then remove your hands from over your eyes and say “peekaboo!”
As your child gets familiar with this, try using a cloth or blanket to hide more of your body.
Try draping the blanket over your child’s head if they are comfortable with it. As they pull it off their head, say “peekaboo!”
As your child gets familiar with this, engage your child in peekaboo, and try hiding your yourself on one side of a barrier, then peek out and say "peekaboo!"
Peekaboo, I Hear You for children with limited vision
Try playing peekaboo I hear you or even, Peekaboo I Found You!
For peekaboo I hear you, engage your child in front of you and then be quiet. Wait for any vocal response from your child, before saying
"peekaboo, I hear you!"
For peekaboo I found you, engage with your child and then back off. Wait for your child to initiate physical contact with you then say, “peekaboo, I found you!"
Come Find Me
Transitioning from "Peekaboo" to "Come and find me" supports the development of language, moving to a sound source and concept development relative to distance. Start by moving a short distance from the child, prompting "Come and find me" and then cuing the child with distance and directional prompts by saying warmer/colder closer/farther as she/he moves to find you.
Try playing warmer/colder with yourself being the stationary object your child is looking for. Give your child cues to encourage them to follow your voice to locate you. The cues of “warmer” and “colder” may be confusing, use cues that work for your child.
Try playing warmer/colder with an object that makes noise (your phone can work great, or other noise making toys from around the house). Place the object somewhere and let your child follow the sound to locate it!
Marco Polo
Once your child has mastered following audible cues, you can play Marco Polo by making a sound while moving around or giving cues only when your child initiates by saying “Marco”.
Credit: Blind Beginnings, PRCVI, BC Blind Sports, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Photo Credit: Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash