Infant playing with toys

Entertaining Infants

Infants have short attention spans and are frequently interested in a toy or activity for only a few minutes at a time. Be patient with infants. Do not expect more than they are capable of.

6 Months to 1 Year

  • Play games where infant drops object and you pick it up. Make sure object is not breakable.
  • Play nursery games like Peek-a-Boo and Patty-Cake.
  • Play Hide-and-Seek with objects.
  • Walk around the house looking at and naming things.
  • Roll a ball to infant.
  • Take stroller ride if weather is nice.

5 Things to Remember

  1. Infants depend completely on you.
  2. Infants have short attention spans.
  3. Infants require constant watching.
  4. Infants like soft noises.
  5. Infants like being walked and talked to.

Safe Sitter® Essentials classes

In-person Classes

Safe Sitter® Essentials classes are offered by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors across the United States. Use the Find a Class feature on our website to connect with Instructors in your area.

Virtual Classes

Safe Sitter® Essentials is available as a virtual class for interested students. All virtual classes are led by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors and completed using a virtual meeting software program.

Babysitter Boss Videos

A babysitter in a purple shirt sits in a playroom with a neutral expression as two children argue over a toy, pulling it in opposite directions.
To learn some effective tactics to try the next time you’re babysitting siblings who are...
Watch Video
A young babysitter in a blue polka-dot shirt practices changing a diaper on a baby doll while kneeling on the floor in a living room.
Changing a diaper might be smelly, but it's actually pretty easy. Just ignore the smell...
Watch Video
A babysitter dressed in black crouches in a dimly lit hallway at night, moving cautiously with a focused expression.
Getting kids to bed can be tough but it doesn't have to be. Learn what...
Watch Video