How can I play “Making Plans for Tomorrow” with my child?
By Down Syndrome Digital ·
Suggested age: 40–46 months
About this activity
Activity: Making Plans for Tomorrow — a short, child-led play idea for children with Down syndrome aged 40–46 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:
• Talk about things that already happened.
• Plan what will happen in the future.
• Make choices.
• Get ready for the next day.
• Have a conversation with an adult.
• Carefully put the picture cards into a little bag or wallet.
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. What you need for the activity
Event pictures: — One “Today” picture (for example, a trip to the playground: slide, swings, sandbox). — One “Tomorrow” picture (a trip to the store: shopping basket, shelves with food). Food pictures: — You can use a set of small pictures with different foods (apples, a banana, bread, a lemon, and others), or one large picture with a group of foods. A wallet or small bag to store the food pictures (this can be an envelope, a make-up bag, or a small pouch).
2. Show your child the two pictures: — “Today we went to the playground
Where is that picture?” Wait until your child points to or chooses the right one. Confirm: — “Yes, today you went down the slide, played on the swings, and played in the sandbox!” Draw your child’s attention to the second picture: — “And tomorrow we will go to the store to buy food.” Discuss: — “Look, this is our day tomorrow! We will be buying food.
3. Try this together
Lay out the food pictures in front of your child (or the large picture with foods): — “Let’s decide what we will buy tomorrow.” Let your child choose and name the foods. Comment: — “Tomorrow we will buy apples. You love apples!” — “What else will we buy? A banana? Bread? A lemon?
4. Try this together
Invite your child to put the chosen pictures into the wallet/bag/envelope: — “Tomorrow we will take the pictures to the store. Put them into the bag.” Explain: — “In the store we will look at the pictures, choose the foods, and put them into the shopping basket!” Prepare the shopping bag in advance and put the small bag with the pictures inside. Say: — “Tomorrow we will go to the store and we have everything ready!
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.