Connection & feelings

Helping hands

Invite your child to pass one large soft item into an adult-held floor basket.

5 minutes

What you'll need

One large clean towel · Wide rigid adult-held floor basket with no lid or handle

Before you start

Comfortable interacting with a familiar caregiver

Best fit: either · calm energy · low caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Place the towel and basket together on a clear floor.
  2. Invite your child to pass or place the towel while you hold the basket.
  3. Thank them specifically for the help.
Make it easier

Pass the towel directly between your hands.

Standard

Invite your child to pass one large soft item into an adult-held floor basket.

Extend it

Offer two large towels and let your child choose which to place next.

What you might notice

Jobs that create pride, persistence or connection.

Keep it safe

Stay within arm's reach and keep the task on a clear floor. Use only intact large towels and an adult-held open basket; no food, liquids, chemicals, glass, tools, appliances, cords, stairs or pets. Stop mouthing and store materials.

Why it may be useful

Following your child's lead and responding to their signals may support warm, reciprocal interaction.

strong

Supports responsive interaction as a broad mechanism, not a claim that a single activity changes development.

Jeong et al. (2021) — Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Pitchik et al. (2024) — A meta-analytic review of the implementation characteristics in parenting interventions to promote early child development

Leijten et al. (2021) — Teaching Parents to Be Responsive: A Network Meta-analysis

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