Work together with your child to create a play kitchen by offering them pots, spoons, and other safe kitchen items. Use the top of a table as a stove and ask them what they need to make food, like soup. Pretend to put in ingredients and take turns stirring and tasting your creation!
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Obstacle Course
Make an obstacle course today! Line up a few pillows for a jump or go under the table as a tunnel. Lines on the floor could even become a tightrope. Try one or two of these and then add on some of your own! Talk to your child about what they’re doing as they do… Continue reading Obstacle Course
Take Turns Taking a Bite
Encourage sharing and taking turns by asking your child to feed you, too. After they take a bite say, “My turn!” Open your mouth and see if they’ll give you a bite. Say, “Thank you!” and then prompt them to take a turn. They will love having a turn at being in charge!
Exercise Together
Invite your child to help you exercise. Hold them while you do sit-ups, first fast and then slow. Talk about your speed with them. Do leg lifts and raise your leg above their head then back to the ground, talking about their size as you do. What else can you do?
Copy Facial Expressions
Watch your child during mealtime. Are they reacting to how the food tastes and feels? Copy the faces they make and respond. Do they make a happy face when eating something sweet like fruit? You could ask, “Do you like that juicy apple?” Stretch the chat and ask another question or comment on their response.
Describe Movements
In the kitchen with your child, describe what you’re doing, especially if you notice they’re interested in something, like pouring water in a bowl or cup. Say things like, “Water goes in the cup.” See how they respond. They might look at you and then look at the cup.
Showing Hunger
Show your child how to tell you they’re feeling hungry by touching their hand to their mouth or rubbing their belly. If you do this over and over and then give them food while saying the word “hungry,” they will pick up the symbol and learn to talk to you with their hands.
Dinner Time Talk
As you feed your child, tell them what you see. “I see your fingers picking up a piece of food.” “I see your mouth chewing a banana”. “I see you drinking with your mouth.” If they make a sound or say a word, repeat it to create a back and forth conversation. Babbling and talking… Continue reading Dinner Time Talk
Dinner Time Story
When feeding your child, use that time to tell them a story. You can make one up or share something that happened when you were a child. When they respond to your voice and make a sound, repeat the same sound back to them.
Detective
How does your child tell you they’re hungry? Do they fuss? Turn their head toward the bottle or breast? Look at you? How do they tell you they’ve had enough? Do they turn away? Stop eating? Push away? You can be a detective. Look for the clues and talk to them about what you think… Continue reading Detective