What is the practice?
This practice turns a recurring child-rearing routine into a fun activity. This is done by playing simple word and movement games as part of diaper changing. The games are best played when your child is not upset but seems content while lying on her back and having her diaper changed. It won’t take long for your child to look forward to what you will do next by vocalizing and showing excitement.
What does the practice look like?
Diapering games use diaper changing as a way to involve a child in sound and movement play depending on your child’s interest. It can be something as simple as describing what you are doing and responding to your child’s vocalizations or turning diapering into a “sing-along.”
How do you do the practice?
Here are some ideas you can try while changing your baby’s diaper to make diapering a fun activity.
How do you know the practice worked?
- Does your child get excited or brighteyed?
- Does your child anticipate being kissed or touched?
- Does your child vocalize as part of playing the game?
- Make unusual sounds to get your child’s attention (for example, Phew!). Try saying something like, “Did you smell that? What do you think?” Repeat any sounds your child makes and be responsive to and encourage her to vocalize and get excited (but not too excited!).
- Describe what you are doing with a playful rhyme. “Baby’s got a dirty diaper. What should we do? Clean it up, clean it up, for Mommy and you!”
- Touch games often work well. As you are changing your infant’s diaper, repeat sayings like “I’m gonna get you!” Move your face closer and closer to your child’s face and kiss her on the forehead or nose while saying, “(Child’s name) gets a kiss!”
- Pay attention to what your child seems to like to do while having her diaper changed. Find ways of being responsive to your child’s sounds and movements to make diaper changing fun.
- Encourage your child to vocalize as much as you can. You want to have a conversation (of sorts) with your child.
Take a look at more fun during diapering
Moblie Sounds
Five-month-old Michelle’s diaper-changing table has a colorful mobile hanging from the ceiling that she gets to play with while being changed. Her dad positions Michelle so that she can easily reach, swipe at, and play with the mobile while her father changes her diaper. Her father interjects into Michelle’s play the different sounds that the mobile seems to make. Dad repeats these sounds many times during almost every diaperchanging routine. The more Michelle hears the sounds, the more she tries to repeat or say them. Playing with the mobile has turned into a fun-filled talking match!
Change Game
Keenan especially likes his diaper changed while lying on the changing table and having his mother lean over him so that he can look at her face. Mom invented a Poopy Diaper Game that makes this not-so-fun activity a bit more enjoyable both for her and her son. The game includes a made-up song (Diaper change. Diaper change. Keenan needs a diaper change. Off with the old; on with the new. Keenan no longer smells peeyou!) while tickling Keenan’s tummy at the end of each statement. Keenan has started smiling and vocalizing at his Mom to get her to play their diaper-changing game.
Diaper Peek-a-Boo
N ine-month-old Michael has some motor delays, but he loves interacting with his mom! Michael’s mother engages him in a simple game of Peek-A-Boo while changing his diaper. She places a small, light blanket over his face and asks repeatedly, “Where is Michael? Where is Michael?” Michael has learned with the help of his mom to pull off the towel so his mother says, “Peek-a-boo! I see you!” She repeats this three or four times while changing Michael’s diaper. The game ends by blowing raspberries on his tummy, which always makes Michael laugh out loud.
