Sam's list of games he likes to play with Arthur

(Sam wrote this when he was six and Arthur wasn't even a year old yet.)

• Roll a ball
• Disappearing ball
• Lose one and gain one
• Peekaboo

Roll a ball

• Ball
• Baby
• You

You are supposed to roll the ball to the baby. At first he or she will just play with the ball. But after a while the baby will roll the ball back to you. Now roll the ball back to the baby, etc.

Disappearing ball

• Mini-house to play with (with a chimney with a slide that slides down through a door)
• You
• Ball (small enough to fit into the chimney slide)
• Baby

If you give the ball to the baby immediately, the baby will just play with it. That is why you must do the following before you hand it to the baby: Put the ball in the chimney. It slides through the door towards the baby. While you're doing those actions, repeat these following words: As you put the ball in the chimney, say, "Ball goes in there ..." When it comes out the door, say, "... and comes out there!" Do this repeatedly until you think that baby has learned it. Then give the ball to the baby. He/she should put the ball in the chimney and find it coming towards him/her. The baby may pick the ball up and repeat the process. (This may teach your baby many things, including to imitate you.)

Lose one and gain one

• Four sticks (maybe "Star Structure" sticks would be good)
• Baby
• You

Give your baby two of the sticks. Take the other two for yourself. Tap your sticks together to make the baby interested. The baby should go crazy over your sticks, drop one of his/hers, and grab one of yours. Pick up the stick the baby dropped, and repeat the process.

Peekaboo

• Baby
• You
• Crib (which the baby can stick his/her head over, but not fall out)

At first the baby will be looking over the side of the crib and will not be able to see you. Then jump up, say "Peekaboo", and land where the baby can't see you again. If you have a baby like Arthur, the baby will be delighted with this. Repeat the process.