Peek-a-boo is a favourite game that generations of parents and adults have played with babies and toddlers. The simple act of being hidden and then ‘found’ seems not only to delight young children, but helps their development. Peek-a-boo is also the precursor to other games such as Hide and Seek.
WHEN AND HOW
The great thing about Peek-a-boo is that once a baby or toddler has understood the game, you can play it anywhere and any time. To introduce it, consider using the following steps:
- Find a piece of fabric that is slightly see-through, such as a square of lace or muslin.
- Choose a time when the child is not tired and fairly content.
- Put them on your lap or facing you and gently drape the fabric over your face, wait a moment and then pull the fabric back. Smile and quietly say, ‘Peek-a-boo!’
- Repeat a few times and observe how the child responds.
- Once they have worked out what is happening, play the game again, but this time cover the baby or toddler’s face slowly and gently.
- Watch to see if they draw back the fabric and, if necessary, help them, remembering to smile and say ‘Peek-a-boo’.
Developmental benefits
The game provides opportunities to support many aspects of early development. It is, therefore, worth playing it at odd times every day. Playing Peek-a boo:
empowers babies and toddlers as they pull away the fabric and ‘find’ their play partner. Being found can also make them feel wanted and special (emotional)
teaches them about how to play with another person as co-operation and a little patience is involved (social)
enables them to see at first hand that objects out of sight are still in existence. This concept is object permanence, and most babies start to develop it somewhere between six and eight months (cognitive)
requires them to reach out and grasp the fabric and so increases hand-eye co-ordination (physical)
helps their communication as they learn to make eye contact and read others’ responses to them. It can also increase babies’ and toddlers’ attention skills (communication).
NEXT STEPS
The Peek-a-boo theme can be developed in a range of ways and can eventually lead to games of Hide and Seek with older children. Look out for ‘pop-up’ toys and get into the habit of saying ‘Peek-a-boo’ when something pops up.
Think about using a soft toy such as a teddy bear at different times and making it appear and then disappear to make the baby or toddler laugh. Over time, increase the wait for the toy to pop back out.
WHAT TO OBSERVE
There are several aspects of development worth observing:
- Anticipation and attention – notice how well the baby or toddler waits and concentrates on what is happening. Think about whether the game is established so that the child anticipates the next actions.
- Initiation – look out to see if the child starts to initiate Peek-a-boo. A toddler might try to put something over your head or a baby might point towards the piece of fabric or stare at it.
- Communication – consider what communication skills the baby or toddler is using, such as making eye contact with you, smiling in response to the action or trying to join in with the refrain ‘Peek-a-boo’.
HOME LEARNING
While many parents may already be playing this game, it is worth letting them know about how it supports their child’s development. For some parents, you may need to introduce them to the game itself.
Parents can play it during care routines such as at shower or bath time, when they might hide their child in a towel or when they dress their child and pull a jumper or top over their head before saying ‘Peek-a-boo!’ – or the equivalent expression in their home language.
RHYME TIME
You can build on the theme of Peek-a boo with this simple rhyme:
Jack-in-the-box
You sit so still. (Close hand with thumb inside)
Won’t you come out?
Yes, I will! (Pop out thumb)
To hear the song and see a video of how to share it, go to: http://tmas.kcls.org/category/rhymes__songs – a vast and great source of rhymes for young children.
BOOK TIME
Look out for simple flap books as these build on the ‘peek-a-boo’ concept. A traditional favourite is Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill, which reinforces the idea of looking for things. The repetition encourages toddlers to join in.
Next time: ‘Knock down play’ (Nursery World, 22 February 2016)
