How can I play “Show What We Did” with my child?
By Down Syndrome Digital ·
Suggested age: 21–25 months
About this activity
Activity: Show What We Did — a short, child-led play idea for children with Down syndrome aged 21–25 months. Follow your child’s cues and enjoy the activity at their pace.
These steps are invitations to play, not therapy or a milestone test. Choose a comfortable, stable position, supervise closely, and pause whenever your child needs a break.
What can this activity invite?
This activity may offer opportunities to notice:
• Name verbs using gestures, movements, and simple words.
• Imitate an adult’s actions.
• Listen to and memorize a song that reflects everyday actions.
• Respond emotionally to what is happening.
What do I need for this activity?
A comfortable, stable place to play and the familiar items named in the steps. Choose materials made for your child’s age and ability; keep small parts, loose strings, plastic bags, and balloons away from babies and young children.
How do I play this activity?
1. Sit facing your little one
Say: “Let’s sing the song ‘What We Do in the Morning’.” Ask your child: “Show me how we wash our face!” When your child shows you, sing and pretend to wash your face. This is how we wash our face. Wash our face, wash our face. This is how we wash our face. So early in the morning.
2. Try this together
Ask: “Show me how we brush our hair!” When your child shows you, sing and pretend to brush your hair. This is how we brush our hair. Brush our hair, brush our hair. This is how we brush our hair. So early in the morning.
3. Ask: “Show me how we eat!” When your child shows you, sing and pretend to eat
This is how we eat our food. Eat our food, eat our food. This is how we eat our food. So early in the morning.
4. Stand up with your child
Say: “Show me how we march!” If your child is unsteady, march in place while holding hands. This is how we march around. March around, march around. This is how we march around. So early in the morning.
5. Change the order of actions and sing verses about what your child does in the morning
You can add washing, having breakfast, marching, brushing hair, brushing teeth, and so on. At the end, sing about hugs and ask: “Show me how you hug your grown-up!” This is how we give a hug. Give a hug, give a hug. This is how we give a hug. Early in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to finish every step?
No. Follow your child’s interest and stop whenever they need a break. There is no correct pace or required outcome.
What if my child is not interested today?
That is okay. Pause, try another activity, or return another day. Looking away or turning away is a cue to give your child space.
How long should we play?
There is no set duration. A short, comfortable moment is enough; stop if your child seems tired, distressed, or uncomfortable.
Is this therapy or a developmental assessment?
No. This is a play invitation, not therapy, a milestone target, or an assessment. It does not replace advice from your child’s clinicians.
Can I adapt this activity for my child?
Yes. Keep it comfortable and child-led. For questions about feeding, oral-motor skills, bath safety, positioning, or movement, use guidance from your child’s own care team.