Sock Tunnel
What you need
- their socks for the day
How to do it
- Sit facing them on the rug and hold one sock open wide at their toes: "Here comes the tunnel."
- Say "Choo choo", touch their toes to the opening and see what they do.
- Hold the sock steady as their foot pushes in. When the toes reach the end, say "Toot toot!"
- Do the same with the other sock, then pull them both up together.
Why it matters
A tunnel to push a foot into gives them a reason to point their toes and push all the way in, so getting dressed becomes a game they join in.
What they're learning
- Dressing
- Pushing a foot into a sock is a real part of getting dressed.
- Body words
- Toes and foot, named as they go in.
- Joining in
- A game turns a job done to them into a job done with them.
What to look for
Watch for them pointing their toes and pushing their foot in to send the train through the tunnel.
A tip
Do this sitting on the rug rather than standing, so a half-on sock cannot trip them.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: slip the sock over their toes and let them do the push to the end
Harder: let them hold the sock open with you while their foot finds the way in
More like this
Browse
Everyday helper activities · Activities for 1 year olds · Activities for 18 month olds · Toddler activities with socks