Peekaboo names

From the house

• A light cloth, scarf or tea towel
• 3–4 favorite toys or everyday things

How to play

1. Hide your face under the cloth and ask, “Where’s Mama?” (or whatever they call you), then pop out: “Peekaboo!”
2. While they watch, cover teddy with the cloth and ask, “Where’s teddy?”
3. They pull the cloth away and you name it with a big smile: “There’s teddy.”
4. Hide the other things one at a time and name each one as it appears.

Fit it to your child

• Easier: Let a corner of the toy peek out so it’s easy to find.
• Harder: Hide two things under two cloths and ask for one by name: “Where’s the ball?”

Words to use

• where
• there
• peekaboo
• gone
• here

Why it helps

Hearing the name the moment something reappears links the word to the thing, and the little wait keeps them listening for it.