Peek-a-Boo with Toys
Parent uses stuffed animals or toys to play peek-a-boo with baby, observing attention, gestural responses, and emotional expressions. The agent coaches the parent to notice how baby communicates preferences and engages socially during this interactive play — building early communication skills and emotional expression.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Baby lying on back on soft surface. Parent positioned where baby can see their face clearly. Have 2-3 stuffed animals or soft toys nearby to use for peek-a-boo. Room should be well-lit and free of distractions.
How it works
- 1~30s
Start by showing your child the first toy. Hold it up where they can see it clearly, then slowly bring it up to cover your face. Peek out from behind it with a big smile and say 'Peek-a-boo!' in a playful voice. Watch your child's reaction closely — does they focus on the toy? Does they move their arms or legs in response? Tell me what you notice.
Watch for: Baby responds to playful interaction with arm or leg movements, showing nonverbal communication through gestures.
- 2~35s
Now let's try with a different toy. This time, after you say 'Peek-a-boo!', pause and hold the toy to the side so your child can see your full face. Make different expressions — a big smile, a surprised 'O' face, a silly frown. Watch your child's face closely. Does they mirror your expressions? Does they show clear likes or dislikes through their own facial reactions?
Watch for: Baby expresses emotions through facial expressions during social interaction, showing likes, dislikes, or engagement.
- 3~40s
Now let's see if your child has preferences. Show two different toys — maybe one colorful and one soft-textured. Play peek-a-boo with each one, watching closely. Does your child respond more to one toy than the other? Look for differences in their limb movements — more excited arm waving for a favorite, or coordinated reaching toward a preferred toy. What do you notice?
Watch for: Baby shows coordinated limb movements toward objects of interest, indicating developing motor control and preference expression.