What is the practice?

Not long after infants learn how to reach for and grasp objects and begin banging them on a hard surface, they often show an interest in the effects of the banging. Rubber stamps with different shapes, figures, letters, and pictures provide little hands an opportunity to learn how to “print” and see what they have done.

Mother reading to child

What does the practice look like?

You will want to experiment with different-sized and -shaped stamp handles to find ones that are the easiest for your child to hold. Be sure the stamp pads have child-safe ink. Large ink pads in different colors work best with young children. Getting to see the effect of using a stamp to make an image on paper is what the practice is all about.

How do you do the practice?

Here are some ideas that will help your child become interested in symbols, letters, figures, and first attempts at “writing.”

How do you know the practice worked?

  • Does your child try to make a stamped image over and over?
  • Does your child try to use different stamps?
  • Does your child point to or show you what images she has made?
  • Your child will most likely benefit from this practice if the stamps have images of things she is familiar with and things that are interesting to her. Start by finding rubber stamps of your child’s favorite things.
  • Show your child how to “ink” a stamp by pressing it onto a stamp pad and then onto a piece of paper. Provide your child as much guidance or assistance as needed.
  • Encourage your child to try different stamp pads to see what she can do. Label the stamped image for your child (e.g., “Look! You made a doggy.”).
  • There are many different kinds of adapted stamp pads and grips for children who may have difficulty holding a stamp-pad handle. Search the Web using adapted handles for ideas on modifying stamps to make it easier for your child to hold them.

Take a look at more activities with stamps

Sponge-Letter Stamps

Victoria’s mother has found a fun activity for introducing stamps to her 10-month-old daughter. She uses sponges that are cut to fit Victoria’s hands and dips them in colored water for Victoria to make marks on a paper. She spreads paper on the kitchen table and has Victoria sit on her lap, so her daughter’s hands are free to play with the sponges. Victoria’s mother shows her daughter how to dip the sponges in the water and then “splash” the sponge on the paper. At first Victoria has trouble transferring the sponge from the water to the paper, but it does not take her long to figure out how to make different marks. Her mother makes up names for Victoria’s drawings and writes the names above each of them as she writes and names the letters in the words.

Animal Pictures

Year-old Wally loves anything that has animals—books, movies, stickers, etc. His dad has been collecting rubber stamps of animals, waiting for a time when Wally seems ready to play with them. Wally has been sitting independently for some time in his highchair where he likes playing with toys to bang and make noise. His dad shows Wally how to use a stamp and pad (with washable ink) to make a picture of a dog. At first, Wally’s dad puts the ink on the stamp and helps his son hold the handle and push the stamp on a piece of paper. Once Wally “catches on” to the game, he tries harder and harder to hold the stamp on his own and make pictures. Dad writes labels for Wally’s pictures and makes the sounds of the animals. Wally is still working on getting the ink on the stamp pads, but it doesn’t seem to matter much since he so much enjoys making the animal pictures.

Stamp Fun for Everyone

Fifteen-month-old Amanda’s cerebral palsy makes it difficult to hold things in her hands. She isn’t always successful but she tries as hard as she can to hold onto things and bang or shake whatever she gets her hands on. Mom has found an adapted spoon handle that makes it easier for Amanda to feed herself. Amanda’s mother comes up with an idea to use the adapted handle attached to a rubber stamp to see if her daughter can make images of her favorite things. Amanda struggles but can take a stamp with ink on it and make marks on a piece of paper. Her mother points to and describes what Amanda has done. Amanda could not be more satisfied with her efforts. She smiles, laughs, and makes all kinds of sounds while she plays. sponge from the water to the paper, but it does not take her long to figure out how to make different marks. Her mother makes up names for Victoria’s drawings and writes the names above each of them as she writes and names the letters in the words.