Little Eyes, Look Over Here
Turn your hand into a little duck that says hello, plays peekaboo, and flies high. Small changes invite your baby to watch, search, and reach through an engaging game.
- 4 months
- No prep needed
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：A responsive interaction that changes with your baby’s attention gives them practice staying engaged with your support.
- Movement：Watching and reaching for the hand-shaped duck gives your baby practice coordinating what their eyes see with how their hands move.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
Step 1
The Duckling Says Hello
Let your baby lie on the bed. Shape one hand like a little duck and move it gently within their view. When your baby looks, make the duck greet them with large, rhythmic movements and see whether they reach toward it.
What to notice
- Watches the hand-shaped duck for several moments
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning) - Turns toward you after hearing your voice
Attending and Understanding
Tips
- Adjust the duck to your baby’s response. If they watch without reaching, slow down and pause. If they become excited, move a little faster or change its position.
- Your enthusiasm is part of the game. An animated voice and warm expression can invite your baby to keep playing with you.
Step 2
The Duckling Plays Peekaboo
If your baby’s attention drifts, let the duck gently peck their cheek so they can find it again. Once they rejoin the game, move the duck from one side to the other and give your baby time to turn and search for it.
What to notice
- Turns their head from left to right while watching the duck
Emergent Mathematical Thinking - Watches your hand and reaches toward the duck
Fine Motor
Tips
- As your baby turns and follows the duck with their eyes, talk with them and celebrate: “You found it!”
- Turning from side to side supports skills related to #PMP-GrM as your baby practices controlling their head and neck.
- If your baby stays interested, continue the duck game and make small changes in response to what they do.
Step 3
The Duckling Flies High
When your baby becomes deeply involved, add another change. Lift the duck higher, then lower it, and invite your baby to watch and search. Celebrate together when they catch it again.
What to notice
- Keeps watching as the duck changes position Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)
- Smiles, kicks, or shows excitement during the game
Emotional Functioning
Tips
- Your smile and voice are meaningful encouragement while your baby concentrates on the game.
- At four months, your baby may reach toward something interesting even when the movement is not yet accurate. This is an important step in skills related to #PMP-FiM.
- Repeating one movement for too long can lose your baby’s attention. A small change can help the game stay engaging.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026