PPOD TIP OF THE MONTH: LEARNING BODY PARTS
Brenda Hussey-Gardner, PhD, MPH
Most 18-month-olds, can point to four body parts. By the time that they are two years
old, most toddlers can point to six body parts. Toddlers can point to most major body
parts and some smaller parts by the time they are 2 1/2 years old.
Body parts that your toddler can see on herself are easiest for your child to learn. Start
by teaching your child tummy, hands, and feet. Then teach nose, mouth, and eyes. To
make it easier for your child to learn facial parts use a mirror, doll, or your own face.
Finally, teach your child smaller body parts like elbow, finger, toe, tongue, and eyebrow.
IDEAS
While snuggling with your child, tell her how much you love her. Tell your child
that you love her fingers. Then, kiss her fingers. Next, tell her that you love her tummy.
Then, kiss her tummy. Continue this little kissing games until you have kissed all of your
child’s major body parts.
When looking at books together, point to the body parts of the people and animals
in the pictures. As you point, say “Here’s the dog’s nose.” or “This is the Daddy’s hair.”
In addition to labeling the pictures for your child, when your child is ready ask, “Where’s
the boy’s arm?” to get your child to point to the body parts seen in the pictures. Once
your child is good at pointing to body parts, touch the body part in the picture and ask
“What’s this?”
Before giving your child a bath, show her herself in the mirror. Say “We’re
going to wash your hair” as you point to her hair. Repeat this with a couple of other body
parts. While giving your child a bath, help her learn body parts by saying things like: “I’m
washing your back.” or “Give me your foot so I can wash it.”
Help your child learn body parts by labeling them as you dress or undress her:
“I’m putting your shirt over your head, now we’re putting your arms in your shirt, and
now we’re pulling your shirt down over your tummy.” Once your child’s shirt is on, if you
have time, tap her head and say, “Head,” then tap her arms and say “Arms,” finally, tap
her stomach and say “Tummy.” This may seem like a lot of talking, but talking is
important; research shows that young children who hear a lot of language grow up to be
smarter.
When we are playing with dolls, talk about the doll’s body parts: “Baby has a
sore arm. I will kiss her arm.” or “The baby sneezed. I will wipe her nose.”
As appropriate, talk about body parts during mealtime: “Oops, you have food on
your nose.” or “Give me your hands so I can wash them.”
Be sure to talk about your child’s body parts when you are playing outside too.
Some examples include “You’re sliding on your stomach.” and “Roll the ball with your
hands.”
While in line at the grocery store, play a face pointing game and let your child
point to different parts of your face.
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