Self-control
A young infant practices calming down after a mildly stimulating activity while being held in a caregiver’s arms.
None
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the words and actions of the Little Mousie game (see adjacent description).
[Hold the infant in your arms with their head well supported in the bend of your arm, ensuring the infant can clearly see you.]
Are you ready for a fun game?
[Pause for and acknowledge infant’s response. Example: “I see you are looking at me now. I think you want to play.”]
[Smile and make eye contact with the infant. Walk your fingers gently from the infant’s foot toward his/her midsection while reciting the “Little Mousie” rhyme. Offer a light touch at the point you say “Right here!” Avoid tickling.
Watch the infant’s reactions to the game closely. If the infant turns away or appears at all distressed, stop the activity. The infant may signal for you to repeat the game. Describe the infant’s reaction to mousie. Examples: “What a big smile you have! You like the Mousie game!” “You are making a sad face. Let’s stop our mousie game and find a way to feel calm and happy.” Describe your response to the infant’s expression. Examples: “You liked having mousie visit. We can do our mousie game one more time!” “You did not want to play the Mousie game, so I stopped. We can calm down now.”
Conclude the activity by announcing that the game is over. Pretend to put the mouse in your pocket. Example: “Our game is all done. Bye-bye mouse. We can calm down now.”
Hold the infant and provide comfort, such as patting on the back, quietly singing a familiar song, or offering soft-voice reminders that it is time to rest.]
[Smile and make eye contact as you review the activity. Examples: “We had fun with the Little Mousie game, Lucia! You laughed and told me with your big smile that you liked the game. We stopped, and I held you while you got calm again.”]
Self-control
An infant practices calming down after a mildly stimulating activity while sitting on a caregiver’s lap.
None
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the words and actions of the Little Mousie game (see description in Option 1).
Invite an infant to sit on your lap to play the Little Mousie game. Turn the infant slightly so that he/she is secure in your arms while also able to make some eye contact with you. Ensure the infant feels secure and comfortable prior to beginning the game. Example: “We are going to play the Little Mousie game. My fingers are going to walk up your leg! Are you ready to play?” Acknowledge that the infant is ready. Example: “I see you are kicking your legs and smiling. I think you are ready to play!” Begin reciting the rhyme while gently walking your fingers up the infant’s leg. Show enthusiasm when the “mousie” stops “Right here!” Be sure to use a light touch and avoid tickling or startling the infant.
Watch closely for the infant’s reactions to the activity. If the infant shows signs of enjoyment, you may repeat the rhyme one or more times. If the infant shows signs of disinterest or distress at any time, stop the rhyme. Talk with the infant about his/her response to the activity. Examples: “You had fun playing the Little Mousie game today, Isaac! You laughed when the mousie walked up your leg.” “You did not like the mousie touching your leg, Julieta. You did not want to play the Little Mousie game. We stopped, and now we are getting calm again.”
After the rhyme, quietly announce that our game is over and it is time to rest and be calm. Provide gentle reminders if necessary. Bring the infant gently toward you, holding him/her with his/her back against you and your arms around the infant. Quietly hum or sing a familiar song. Provide quiet time for the infant to calm him/herself. Describe the activity. Example: “We had fun playing the Little Mousie game today! We rested when our game was over. Now you are sitting with me, and we are calm.”
Self-control
An older infant practices calming down after a mildly stimulating activity while sitting independently, facing a caregiver.
None
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the words and actions of the Little Mousie game (see description in Option 1).
Invite an infant to join you on the floor to play the Little Mousie game. Sit facing the infant with a smile and ensure the infant is ready to play. Example: “We are going to play the Little Mousie game. My fingers are going to be a pretend mousie that walks up your leg! Are you ready?” Begin reciting the rhyme and gently walk your fingers from the infant’s foot to his/her midsection. Show enthusiasm when the mousie stops, using a light touch. If the infant is enjoying the activity, you may repeat the rhyme several times. If the infant shows signs of disinterest or distress at any time, end the rhyme. Describe the infant’s response to the rhyme and motions. Example: “You had fun playing the Little Mousie game today, Sebastian! You smiled and laughed when the mousie walked up your leg.”
After the rhyme, ask the infant to sit and rest with you. The infant may want to sit near you or on your lap. Provide quiet time for the infant to calm him/herself. If needed, support the infant by patting his/her back, quietly humming or singing a favorite song, and/or offering gentle reminders that it is time to rest. Describe the infant’s actions. Example: “You had fun playing the Little Mousie game. Now you are sitting with me and resting. We are feeling calm.”
This activity is a version of the Block 2 “Rig-a-Jig-Jig” activity designed to help infants learn to calm down. The three options in the current Little Mousie game correspond with the infant’s level of mobility. Option 3 emphasizes some infant independence in calming down, but it is certainly appropriate to offer the strategies used in Option 2 (and also Option 1) if an infant has difficulty calming down through your verbal support only. In general, some infants may move toward a calm state independently when you indicate the game is over. Others may need additional support to become calm. The plan is designed for an infant who is alert and comfortable. The game is not meant to distract an infant from emotional distress or discomfort.
Most infants will enjoy the anticipation of the gentle touch accompanying the “Right here!” words at the end of the rhyme. Infants may express their delight with smiles and laughter. Some infants may signal they would like you to repeat the rhyme by smiling and making eye contact, kicking their legs, or vocalizing their interest by cooing or laughing aloud. It is important to also watch closely for indications of disinterest or distress during the activity. Some infants may not enjoy the feeling of your fingers walking, or the anticipation of the gentle touch at the end of the rhyme. As described in the option plans, promptly stop the activity and provide comfort if the infant shows any signs of distress.
Your most important role in the activity is to help the infant calm himself/herself. Carefully watch the infant’s responses to a strategy (or strategies) you use. Especially in Options 2 and 3, give the infant a few moments of quiet time to respond to a strategy before offering additional help.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: none
During floor play, engage infants in similar rhymes that involve a moment of anticipation. “This Little Piggy” is a good example. Remember to use a light touch at the end, not a tickle. Infants may enjoy watching the anticipation of a peer engaged in the rhyme. Ensure each interested infant gets a turn to participate. Be sure to encourage infants to calm down after the exciting activity, using one or more of the strategies in this plan as needed.
Materials Needed: none
Play a related Little Mousie game with older toddlers and preschool-age children in your care. This may be an appropriate activity for outdoor play. Invite older toddlers and preschool-age children to be little mice looking for a home. You may wish to substitute the word “run” with the word “creep.” Encourage children to slowly creep around, pretending to look for a home. When the rhyme reaches the end, the children can jump to the ground in their “home” when you say “Right here!” Infants will enjoy participating by being held during the activity. Before moving to the next activity, support children in resting by sitting quietly and, if necessary, using one or more of the strategies suggested in the activity options.
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