The Magic in Her Lace

The Magic in Her Lace

I will be the first person to say, my baby hippo is very hesitant and seems to be a cautious observer. This makes playing peek-a-boo with her very difficult. She is a little upset at the idea that some one disappears and then reappears quickly. Enter her ever so lovely piece of lace fabric…

It’s amazing; she doesn’t get spooked by the lace when it covers her face.  Better yet she gives you this look behind the lace as though she thinks she is oh-so-sneaky and can see you but you can’t see her type of thing. She really is clever. I ask her all the time, “Where’s my hippo?” And she giggles (rookie move, gives her spot away); then I lift up the piece lace and SURPRISE! There she is! It’s perfect. And the best part is she can still see me use American Sign Language (ASL) behind the lace.

And what may sound like a simple game of peek-a-boo, we have developed a fabulous routine that allows my little hippo opportunities to learn how to communicate with me.

Set scene;

I give Baby Hippo an anticipating smile while holding her piece of lace, Baby hippo smiles back and wiggles

(this is her way of telling me she is oh so excited to play our game and is demonstrating anticipation)

I hold up her piece of lace and cover her with it … Baby Hippo squeals

(This is her way to say she loves this part in our peek a boo game)

I ask, “Where’s my baby hippo?” … Baby hippo shouts at me

(This is how she shows me she knows to answer questions)

I then lift the lace she squeals with delight and I begin the routine again… But before I begin the routine again, I make the sign for “more” and wait for her to coo in response; thus beginning the cycle over again.

Peek-a-boo is a great game, and the best part is that Kids love it.  Second best part? It allows kids at such a young age to demonstrate anticipation, laugh during play, pay attention to the speaker, and vocalize during a game.  All which are skills we expect around 6 months of age. 

So give it a try, play peek-a-boo with a towel, a favorite blanket, a piece of lace like we did and see how your wee one enjoys it! Better yet, see if you can encourage your little one to hold the blanket or towel up themselves in a game of peek-a-boo!

Here are some other play skills we expect to start emerging between 6 to 9 months;

-       demonstrate anticipation of play

-       play with objects without mouthing or banging them

-       reach for self in the mirror 

-       tries to secure an object out of reach