KBGPF020 | 0-1 pretend play Santa Workshop
By Dr. Rajeev Tamhankar
This activity is a Santa-themed Christmas pretend play called “Santa’s Toy Factory.” It is a multi-sensory experience designed to encourage social interaction, emotional bonding, creative thinking, and motor skills development in babies through interactive play.
- Step 1: Introduce the Toy Factory
- Sit with the baby cheerfully and introduce the concept of Santa’s Toy Factory.
- Emphasize fun and excitement about making toys together.
- Step 2: Pretend to Make Toys
- Use plush animals, rattles, or any colorful toys you have at home.
- Engage with the baby by “assembling” toys with exaggerated cheerful gestures.
- Step 3: Pack Santa’s Bag
- Pretend to pack the toys in a lightweight bag or a soft scarf, representing Santa’s gift bag.
- Step 4: Ride the Sleigh
- Create a sleigh from a cardboard box or blanket, and pretend to deliver gifts to different areas in your play space.
- Step 5: End with a Christmas Song
- Sing “Jingle Bells” with props like a rattle acting as a bell to conclude the activity on a festive note.
- Social Interaction Development: Encourages smiles, gestures, and shared play.
- Imagination Building: Fosters creativity by associating everyday objects with pretend scenarios.
- Motor Skills: Enhances fine and gross motor skills through toy handling and movement.
- Language Development: Introduces new words and Christmas-themed sounds.
- Focus and Confidence: Builds concentration and fosters independence in babies.
- Use exaggerated expressions and cheerful tones to keep the baby engaged.
- If you don’t have certain props, substitute them with available items (e.g., use a scarf for Santa’s bag or a rattle for a jingle bell).
- Narrate a Christmas bedtime story beforehand to set the mood.
- Ensure the play area is soft and safe for the baby’s movements.
- Soft toys (plush animals, rattles, rings, etc.)
- Lightweight bag or scarf (for Santa’s bag)
- Soft mat or blanket (for safe play space)
- Cardboard box or blanket (to pretend as Santa’s sleigh)
- Jingle bell or rattle (for sensory engagement)
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