When children play about being caregivers for dolls or stuffed animals, they practice thinking of others' needs and doing specific tasks to care for them. Children are likely to take that good feeling of caring into everyday life.

Materials:

• Baby dolls or stuffed animals
• Small blankets or towels
• Dress-up clothes (vest, purse, briefcase, tie)
• Doll clothes (optional)
• Baby bottle or spoon (optional)
• Washcloths and masking tape for diapers

Directions:

Getting the play started probably won't take much more than stuffed animals or baby dolls and something that's like a blanket. Some children like to dress up when they play mommies and daddies. For them, you might want to bring out grown-up play clothes, like vests, ties, aprons, purses, briefcases, etc. You might also make a swinging cradle by tying or pinning a sheet between two chairs.

If the children need help getting started, you can ask what kinds of things mothers and fathers do to help take care of a baby -- holding and rocking the baby; feeding the baby; changing the baby's diaper; telling the baby nursery rhymes; playing peek-a-boo; showing the baby rattles or toys.

Think about how much it can mean to your child when you say something like, "Your baby is lucky to have such a caring parent."

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