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?
Category: 6 Loving Habits
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
Muffin Tin Plate
Do you have a muffin tin or ice tray at home? Take small pieces of your child’s finger foods and put them in different sections of the tin or tray. Leave some empty spaces so they can move pieces around. Describe out loud what they’re doing, “You moved the cracker over!”
Blanket Game
Place your child on their back on a blanket. Holding either side of the blanket above their head, gently lift the sides and move them up almost into a sitting position. Look into their eyes, smile, and speak to them then gently lower them back down. If they enjoyed it, do it again!
Car Color Game
Before you go out, ask your child what color of car they think is the most popular. Invite them to count how many cars of that color they see along the way. At the same time, you look for a different color and keep track too. Then talk about what you found out together.
