Playful Possibilities: Social Engagement and Learning with Plastic Cups

Jamie Hughes-Lika, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, IBA
Apr 1
4 min read

Welcome to "Playful Possibilities: Everyday Items, Endless Fun," where we explore how ordinary items can unlock extraordinary opportunities for connection, communication, and learning with young autistic children. This month, we’re highlighting the versatility of plastic cups—a household staple that can foster engagement, motivation, and social interaction. By incorporating Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) strategies, you can transform plastic cups into a dynamic tool for meaningful play and skill-building.

1. "Cup Tower Builders"

Description: Stack plastic cups to build towers together. Take turns adding cups, knocking them over, and rebuilding.

Learning Opportunities: This activity supports turn-taking, motor coordination, and joint attention through playful collaboration.

NDBI Strategies:

Turn-Taking: Say, “Your turn to add a cup!” and then, “My turn!” to model reciprocity and shared play.
Promoting Shared Attention: Use animated expressions and comments like, “Wow, look how tall it is!” to keep the child engaged.
Expanding Communication: Encourage simple phrases like “more,” “up,” or “fall” as you build.
Celebrate Small Wins: Cheer when the child adds a cup or knocks over the tower, saying, “You made it fall—so fun!”

2. "Rolling Cups"

Description: Lay cups on their sides and roll them back and forth between you and the child. Use variations like rolling to knock down small objects or into a target.

Learning Opportunities: This activity supports coordination, shared play, and problem-solving.

NDBI Strategies:

Following the Child’s Lead: If the child decides to spin or tap the cups instead of rolling, join in to build engagement.
Building Anticipation: Say, “Ready, set…” and pause before rolling the cup to the child. Wait for them to look at you or signal readiness.
Expanding Communication: Use phrases like “roll,” “go,” or “crash!” to model language during the activity.
Celebrate Small Wins: Applaud each successful roll, saying, “Great job! You rolled it so far!”

4. "Hidden Treasure Cups"

Description: Hide a small object under one of three cups and shuffle them around. Encourage the child to find the “treasure.”

Learning Opportunities: This activity fosters problem-solving, sustained attention, and turn-taking.

NDBI Strategies:

Turn-Taking: Let the child hide the object and shuffle the cups for you to find, saying, “My turn to guess!”
Promoting Shared Attention: Use playful anticipation as you lift each cup, saying, “Is it here? No? Let’s try another!”
Expanding Communication: Model simple words like “where,” “found it,” or “not here!” to encourage language use.
Celebrate Small Wins: Clap when the child finds the treasure, saying, “You did it—so clever!”

Enhancing Engagement, Motivation, and Attention with Plastic Cups

Enhancing Attention: Use pauses and playful cues to build anticipation, like holding a cup up and saying, “What will we do with this?” For the cup tower builder activity, encourage the child to focus by slowing your actions or pretending to wobble the tower for suspense. Use your voice and facial expressions to emphasize the moment, such as gasping or laughing when the tower gets taller. For the rolling cups activity, build anticipation by holding the cup in your hand, slowly tilting it as you say, “Ready… set… roll!” Watch the child for signs of excitement or readiness before releasing the cup. Use exaggerated motions and eye contact to draw the child’s attention to the rolling action. For the hidden treasure activity, hold up a cup and say, “What’s hiding under here?” to focus the child’s gaze and build curiosity. As you shuffle the cups, slow down and use exaggerated hand movements or sound effects to keep the child engaged. Peek under the wrong cup dramatically, saying, “Is it here? Oh no!” before moving to the next one.
Boosting Motivation: Introduce new elements or games with the cups to keep interest high, such as hiding surprises inside or decorating them together. For the cup tower activity, make the activity more exciting by turning the tower into a themed play scene—stacking cups to become a castle, rocket ship, or tall skyscraper. Add stickers or draw faces on the cups to personalize the towers, encouraging the child to engage more deeply with the activity. For the rolling cups activity, introduce fun challenges, like aiming to knock over small objects (toy figurines or blocks) or rolling the cup into a “goal” marked with tape or paper. You could also vary the type of cup used—decorating them or using different colors to keep the activity fresh and engaging. For the hidden treasure activity, add an element of surprise by hiding favorite toys, small treats, or colorful objects under the cups. Let the child decorate the cups beforehand with stickers or markers to personalize the activity and make it even more engaging.
Supporting Social Engagement: Copy your child’s actions, share smiles, and use animated expressions to build connection and mutual enjoyment. For the cup tower activity, build the tower collaboratively, alternating turns. As the child adds a cup, mirror their actions, and say, “Wow, just like me!” Celebrate together with cheers or high-fives when the tower stands tall or tumbles over, reinforcing shared play and connection. For the rolling cups activity, sit face-to-face with the child to roll the cup back and forth, smiling and maintaining eye contact. Imitate their rolling techniques or add sound effects like, “Vroom!” or “Zoom!” to create shared enjoyment. When the child knocks something over, clap and exclaim, “You did it! Great roll!” For the hidden treasure activity, take turns hiding and finding the treasure, narrating each step to encourage joint attention and communication. For example, say, “Your turn to hide! Where will you put it?” When the child guesses correctly, cheer together, saying, “You found it!” to build a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.

Final Thoughts

Plastic cups are more than just household items—they’re versatile tools for creating moments of learning, connection, and joy. By incorporating NDBI strategies like following the child’s lead, embedding language goals, and celebrating small achievements, you can transform these simple items into pathways for growth and engagement.

Stay tuned for next month’s “Playful Possibilities” feature, where we’ll share even more ways to turn everyday objects into extraordinary opportunities for bonding and skill-building. Remember, every playful moment is a step toward stronger connections and brighter futures!

Check out this handout for more Playful Possibilities!