Thursday, June 17, 2021

Fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers...this weekend we celebrate male role models in children's lives. That's why this week, we're focusing on little things that have big impacts for fathers (and all male role models) and babies.

Maximize Love, Manage Stress

Spending time playing on the floor with baby is fun and builds bonds. Engage with baby by playing with their feet, laying on your bellies face-to-face and babbling, or rolling a ball back and forth. Enjoy the giggles!

Talk, Sing, and Point

With baby on your lap, sing, play an instrument together, and/or listen to your favorite music. Clap hands in rhythm to the music. Let baby babble or sing along, strum the guitar or strike the piano keys, and clap with you!

Count, Group, and Compare

Are you planning a special meal on Father's Day. Count with baby as you put food on baby's plate or your own. One, two, three strawberries! One, two, three spoonfuls of potato salad!

Explore Through Movement and Play

Dad needs a day off from yard work, so it's the perfect day for dad and baby to enjoy the yard. Collect rocks, play in mud, pick vegetables, build with loose parts (wood, sticks, rocks, etc.), and have lots of outdoor fun together!

Read and Discuss Stories

Read and talk about Owl Moon by Jane Yolan. It's an award-winning picture book about a child's adventure with her dad.

For this week's inspiration, here's a link to a read-aloud of Owl Moon.

If you know of someone who would like to be part of our Randolph County Basics Network, share this email and urge them to contact Micki Bare at mbare@randolphkids.org to be added to this email list.



Thank you!