Hey! I’m Here!
When your baby comes close to invite interaction, respond with your eyes, voice, and a familiar game. Your warm response encourages them to reach out again.
- 12 months
- No prep needed
- At home
- About 15 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Language：Responding to your baby’s sounds and movements and taking turns in a familiar game encourages them to keep communicating.
- Social/Emotional：Sharing a playful back-and-forth moment helps your baby experience the pleasure of interacting with you.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
Step 1
Your Baby Comes to Find You
When your baby comes over to play, respond with eye contact and a few words. If you can, set aside what you are doing. Follow their interest into a simple, familiar game such as peekaboo so they experience your attention and company.
What to notice
- Pats you to invite you to play
Relationships with Adults - Makes a “ba” sound to invite you to play
Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- Coming close can be your baby’s way of seeking your attention or beginning an interaction. A prompt response encourages them to keep communicating.
- At twelve months, your baby may use a movement, look, or sound to invite you to play. These are all communication signals.
Step 2
Where Did My Baby Go?
Pretend to return to what you were doing. When your baby pats you a second time, deliberately look in the wrong direction. The little surprise makes the exchange playful and gives your baby a reason to call, pat, or try again.
What to notice
- Pats you or makes a sound after hiding so you look again Communicating and Speaking
- Smiles while hiding behind you
Emotional Functioning
Tips
- When you deliberately look the wrong way, pause for a few seconds so your baby has another chance to use a movement or sound to regain your attention.
- Move slowly and use an exaggerated expression so your baby can tell that you are playing, not ignoring them.
- If your baby does not pat or call again, invite another try: “Who was calling me just now?”
- After a brief exchange, slowly turn back to your earlier activity, such as reading, so your baby notices that you have “gone away.”
Step 3
There You Are!
Give your baby time to find you. When they turn toward you or come closer, respond with delighted surprise. If they want another round, switch roles: you look while your baby hides. Repeated hiding, finding, and responding keeps the interaction going.
What to notice
- Stays engaged in a game with you, such as peekaboo Relationships with Adults
- Holds on to you and takes steps to come around in front
Gross Motor
Tips
- Waiting gives your baby time to begin the interaction. Respond to any sound they make so they can experience the rhythm of taking turns.
- When you switch roles, hide briefly and reappear so your baby can find you easily and enjoy the back-and-forth game.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026