How Can I Reach the Bell?

1. 1

   Lay your baby on their back and sit beside them. Shake a bell within view: “Listen—what is that sound?”

2. 2

   When your baby notices it, hold the lower part of the bell where they can reach it over their chest. Cover the bell with a light scarf, keep shaking it, and say, “The bell is hiding.”

3. 3

   If your baby waves or grasps at the scarf, move it slightly so part of the bell appears: “Look—the bell is here.”

4. 4

   If the first attempt does not work, lift one corner of the scarf or point toward the bell and wait for another try.

5. 5

   If your baby does not move yet, guide their hand through pushing the scarf aside and touching the bell.

6. 6

   When your baby reaches it, smile and say, “You found the bell!” Then let them hold, touch, and shake it.

What to notice

• Uses more than one movement to find the ringing bell Reasoning and Problem-Solving
• Moves their arms or legs to make contact with the bell Gross Motor

Tips

• Keep the bell over your baby’s chest at a distance they can see and reach.
• After a missed reach, wait a few seconds before helping so your baby has time to adjust the movement.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Trying more than one action to move the scarf and find the bell gives your baby early experience changing their approach to solve a simple problem.