First I Spy with Objects

Safety

Every object must not fit the small parts test cylinder (1.25 in. × 2.25 in.); the 3–6 version may use smaller objects, but not in a room with children under 3.

Presentation

1
Sit with the child with the tray between you. Name each object together: "Mug. Sock. Fish."
2
Say: "I spy with my little eye a sock." Wait for the child to point to or pick up the sock. Play this way with each object.
3
When the child finds each object quickly, stretch the first sound of the name: "I spy a sssock."
4
Next, give the first sound, then the word: "I spy something that begins with /s/. Sssock." Use the sound, not the letter name.
5
Then give only the sound: "I spy something that begins with /s/." This is the point of interest: the child picks up the sock after hearing only the sound.
6
If the child picks another object, say its name with its first sound stretched ("Mmmug. Mug begins with /m/.") and play again.
7
Stop after a few turns, while the child still wants to play. Play again on other days with new objects.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

New objects whose first sounds can be stretched: /m/, /s/, /f/, /l/
Three objects instead of two
The child names an object for the adult to find
The child says the first sound after the adult says a whole word

Control of error

The adult, who says the word again with the first sound stretched so the child can hear it.

Ready to move on when the child…

Finds a named object quickly and wants to keep playing
Finds the object after hearing the word with its first sound stretched
Finds an object from its first sound alone
Asks to play the game

Guide note

Many children are not ready for the sound step before age 3. Stay with naming until the child finds named objects quickly and speaks clearly; if the child guesses at random at the sound step, stop and try again weeks later. For a child learning English, use objects whose English names the child already knows, or play in the home language if the adult speaks it.