Early bath
* Gather a variety of items for bath time, such as a face cloth, sponge, bath scrunchy, bar of soap, soft hair brush, toothbrush, nail brush, shower cap, a few bath toys and a toilet bag.
* Take the soap and cut off some long strips (ensure they are long enough to avoid any choking hazard - if you are still concerned, place the soap strips into a small net bag used for washing tablets).
* Place some of the items hidden in the shower cap and some in the toilet bag. Hide the bag of soap pieces under a face cloth and wrap another face cloth or small hand towel around another couple of the bath items.
* Place them on a large towel and let the babies and toddlers explore them.
* After a little time, as each item is selected by a child, name the item and describe it.
* If the baby picks up the soap, pretend to wash your hands. If he selects a brush, pretend to brush your hair, teeth or nails, depending on the brush he has chosen.
* Add other items such as a pile of cotton balls, cotton pads or scented tissues, tumble dryer scented sheets. Throw them into the air; use them to tickle hands, arms and cheeks.
* Add a bowl of water to allow baby to experiment or perhaps wash a doll while you wash another.
White stuff
* Gather a range of items such as cotton wool balls, marshmallows, scented tissues, pieces of bread, icing, icing sugar powder, sugar cubes, white teddy, white bricks, white flowers and shells.
* Place the items in a range of small bowls or a sharing bowl. Cover each with a piece of napkin.
* Invite the young children to guess what you have found and to suggest what you do with it. Could they describe it to you?
* Repeat this with the variety of items in each of the bowls.
* Let the children play with the variety of items.
* Join in the play, using the items to create patterns, pictures or sequences.
* Invite the children to watch, help you and take the play in their direction.
* Suggest that you cover your eyes and they make a 'picture' with the various items. Then suggest you do one too.
Alice Sharp is director of training company Experiental Play, in Glasgow