Invite an infant who can sit independently or with support to join you for a game of hiding a toy. Sit facing the infant. Introduce the small toy. Invite the infant to hold and explore the toy for a few moments. Then introduce one cup and place it face (opening) down in front of the infant.

Explain that you are going to hide the toy under the cup. Encourage the infant to watch what you do with the toy. With deliberate movements in view of the infant, place the toy under the cup with a portion of the toy showing for the infant to see. Invite the infant to find the toy. Show excitement if the infant reaches for or gazes at the toy.

Hide the toy again with the infant watching, this time completely placing the toy under the cup. Encourage the infant to watch and then find the hidden toy. If the infant does not reveal the toy, lift the cup with enthusiasm and show excitement over finding the toy.

If the infant remains interested, add the second cup to the activity. Place both cups in front of the infant. Explain that you are going to hide the toy under one of the cups. With deliberate actions, place the toy under the same cup as before. Hide the toy completely or leave a portion of the toy in view, depending on the infant’s reactions to the hidden toy in the first round. Show excitement and enthusiasm as the toy is revealed. Example: “Wow! You looked under one cup. Then you looked under the other cup. You found the elephant!”

Offer several more exchanges if the infant remains interested. Acknowledge the infant’s focus during the activity. Example: “You watched me hide the toy, Samantha. You looked under the cups. You found the toy! Thank you for playing with me.”

Be Prepared: This activity is for an infant who can sit independently and can readily grasp and manipulate a small object.

Invite the infant to join you to play a game of hiding a toy. Sit facing the infant with a smile. Introduce the toy. Encourage the infant to hold and move the toy. Introduce the two cups. Place both face (opening) down in front of the infant. Explain that you are going to hide the toy under one of the cups for the infant to find. Ask the infant if he/she is ready for you to hide the toy. Encourage the infant to watch your movements as you place the toy underneath one of the cups. Leave a portion of the toy in view. Invite the infant to find the toy. Example: “You watched me hide the toy. You found the toy!” Show excitement as the toy is revealed. Repeat the hiding and finding process, this time with the toy fully hidden.

Invite the infant to hide the toy under one of the cups. Watch the infant’s actions. After the toy is hidden, announce you are going to look for the toy. Talk about your search. Example: “I watched you hide the toy. I remember where you put the toy. The toy is under this cup!” Again, express enthusiasm over finding the toy.

Offer another round of the infant hiding the toy, if the infant seems interested. Conclude the activity by recognizing the infant’s focus during the activity. Example: “You watched me hide the toy. Then I watched you hide the toy. We remembered where the toy was hiding!”