This is the way we wash our toes

Personal, Social and Emotional Development 

This simple activity is great for supporting your little one’s personal, social and emotional development, as they get to know what makes them! In addition, this supports the development of their identity and sense of self, as they begin to learn about what makes them unique. For example, they might learn about the texture of their hair, the colour of their eyes and if they have dimples on their cheeks. 

To help them make these connections, you could relate them to your own body e.g. “Daddy has short brown hair, and Mummy has long ginger hair”, or “Daddy has big hands, can you show me your little hands?”.

Physical Development

Bath time is an excellent opportunity for your little one to learn about what makes them, them! Giving your little ones a bath or wash is a perfect time to teach them about their body. They begin to understand what each body part can do as they explore different ways of moving them.

• Your baby will love hearing your voice, so they will have a blast listening to the different names of their body as you wash them and describe them.

• Point to your arms, legs and toes to show them that you have the same too! 

Communication and Language

For example, as you wash your little one, why not sing a song to them? We made this one up, sung along to the tune of ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’: 

‘This is the way we wash your toes

 Wash your toes, wash your toes, 

This is the way we wash our toes, 

On a cold and frosty morning!’ 

You can repeat this with their fingers, and toes too! This song provides an opportunity for mathematical learning, so why not count the number of fingers and toes as you go? Your little one will be able to hear number names, and begin to understand that they have ten fingers and ten toes!

Books

Bath Time by Pat-a-cake is a very magical book! It's a book that changes colour in water. Your little one love watching the colour appear in the bold pictures of friendly frogs and funny fish! Splish, splash and splash with Mummy duck and her little ducklings and make bath time fun and colourful.