Family Photo Talk and Point
Show baby photos of family members and name each person — building recognition of familiar faces and early social connections.
What You'll Need
- 1Printed photos or device with family photos
- 2Board book with photo inserts (optional)
What You'll Need
Clear photos of close family members (printed, on a phone, or in a photo book)
A board book with photo inserts is a wonderful option if you have one
How to Play
Gather clear, close-up photos of people baby sees regularly — parents, siblings, grandparents.
Sit baby on your lap and hold the first photo at their eye level.
Point to the person and say their name with excitement: "That's grandma! You love grandma."
Watch baby's reaction. They may stare, smile, reach for the photo, or babble.
Move to the next photo and name that person, pointing clearly at their face.
Go back to the first photo and ask "Where's grandma?" See if baby looks toward it.
End with a photo of baby and celebrate: "And that's YOU!"
Why It Works
Babies are built to recognize faces — it's one of their earliest and strongest skills. By naming the people in photos, you're helping baby connect faces with names and building their understanding of their social world. This also supports stranger awareness by reinforcing who baby's trusted people are. Around 6-9 months, you may notice baby gets excited when they see a familiar face in a photo. That recognition is powerful social development.
Tips
Make a small photo board book with family faces. Babies love looking at these over and over.
Use close-up face shots rather than full-body photos — babies focus on faces.
Include pets! Babies often light up seeing the family dog or cat in photos.
This is a wonderful activity before visiting relatives baby hasn't seen in a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 10 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: printed photos or device with family photos, board book with photo inserts (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 0-12 months. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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