Lay the young infant on her back. Place several small, soft items such as blocks or stuffed animals around the infant's feet. Talk to the infant in a fun, excited voice. As the infant becomes more animated and kicks the toys away, throw up your hands and say "Whee." Replace the blocks so that the child can kick them again. To encourage crawling, lay a toy just in front of the baby when she is lying on her tummy. Toddlers learn balance when an adult lays the child on a large rubber ball. Holding the child's hands, roll the toddler forward and back over the ball's surface.
While the infant is sitting in an infant seat, hand him a small toy, such as a baby ring. Close his fingers around the toy and remove your hand. Praise the infant as he holds the toy. After a baby is able to sit up in her high chair, give her a small plastic bottle, such as a small soda or water bottle. Place a pile of oat cereal pieces on the high chair tray. Show the baby how to drop the cereal piece by piece into the bottle. Shake the bottle to show the new sound. Encourage her to drop the cereal pieces in the bottle herself.
Give a toddler several pieces of wrapping paper or magazine pages. Show the toddler how tear small strips off the paper and glue them to a sheet of construction paper for a collage.
Listening to adults talk helps children learn language. Sing to infants. Give names to objects that the infant grabs. For example, when he reaches for your nose, say aloud "Do you have my nose?" Older babies also respond to name games, especially their own name. Try adding the baby's name to simple songs. Add gestures to songs and rhymes. Babies are also capable of enjoying anticipation. Try rhymes such as "This little piggy." Toddlers also enjoy the repetition of the rhymes and songs. They are capable of following the adult's gestures to play along with the song.
Infants explore the world passively. As the infant goes outside, talk about the weather, the color of the sky. Point out birds, plants and insects. Weather permitting, let the infant feel the wind on her arms, feet and face. Be sure to protect her delicate skin from the sun. Older babies explore many things with their fingers, toes and mouth. Give babies large pieces of fabric in a variety of textures. Toddlers love exploring with their hands. Water and sand tables give toddlers a contained area to explore. Plant seeds and watch them grow. Add seasonal activities with autumn leaves, winter snow and spring flowers.