Why do it?

  • Sharing is a difficult idea for baby to understand — they need to know that if they give something up, they’ll get it back. This activity helps baby understand through taking turns.
  • It’s also another chance to use parallel talk and self-talk, so baby hears the words that belong with the actions.

How to do it

  • Find a soft ball.
  • Sit opposite baby, legs apart, holding the ball.
  • Roll the ball to baby and say, ‘Your turn! Roll the ball to Dad’
  • Be ready to retrieve the ball and roll it back to baby again, saying, ‘Your turn.’
  • Play until baby has had enough.

Using more te reo Māori

Ngā kupu Words
Rerenga kōrero Sentence, phrase
Tohatoha Share
Rongonga Hearing
Pārekareka Fun
Nōu te wā Your turn
Nōku te wā My turn
Ko koe te tuatahi You go first
Ko au te tuarua I'll go second
Tauaro To be opposite, facing towards each other
E noho Sit down
E noho kōnei ki te whāriki Sit here on the carpet
Whewhera ōu waewae Spread your legs
Pīroria te pōro Roll the ball
He pōro newanewa A soft ball
Tukuna Release, let go
Huri mai Turn to me
Mātakitaki Māmā Watch mum
Ka taea e koe te hopu? Can you catch it?
Ka rawe! Awesome!
Kātahi nā te pēpi mōhio, ko koe What a clever baby you are
E reretahi ana te karu me te ringa The eye and the hand are coordinated
Mā te whakaharatau e tika ai Practice makes perfect