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Health and safety skills
Stop the Music!
Play some music and move with your one year old.
Activities and Strategies
for Development
Stop the music, clap your hands, and say “stop!” Repeat playing and stopping the
music, clapping, and saying “stop!” several times. Encourage your child to clap and
say “stop” with you.
Be aware that it is physically difficult for one year olds to stop what they are doing.
The goal of this activity is to help your child learn the signals of clapping and
the word “stop!” so she will respond when you use them to signal danger. When
your child is about to do something dangerous, go over quickly to move her
away and say “stop!” in a firm voice.
Mommy’s (or Daddy’s) Hand
Make a “Mommy’s Hand” puppet from an old adult size glove or mitten. Sew or
hot glue colorful buttons or felt onto the palm side of the glove to make eyes, a
nose, and a mouth. Add yarn for hair.
Wear the glove to make it appealing for your child to hold your “hand” for safety.
Ask “Where’s Mommy’s hand?” when your child is at the top of the stairs and
encourage him to hold on as you help him walk down. Use the puppet to remind
your child to hold your hand as you help him walk safely on the sidewalk, or
climb up and down play equipment, too!
When there is a handrail, teach your child to hold it with his other hand.
If your child responds well to the hand puppet, make another one and keep one
in the house and one in the car.