Make a telescope with your hands. Circle your fingers and hold them to your eye and look at your child telling them, “I see you!” Show them how to make their own finger telescope. Take turns looking through the finger telescope and sharing what you see.
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Describe the Day
Describe to your child how the day is: “Today is bright and sunny. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face,” or “Brrr, today is cold! That’s why we have coats on.” Ask them to take a turn. Be sure to respond to their words or sounds.
Talk About the Ride
As you ride in a bus, train, or car with your child, talk about the ride! You can say, “Here comes a bumpy road!” and talk about how it feels or sway back and forth as you say, “Here come the curves!” Talk about whether you’re going fast or slow and how that feels. Let… Continue reading Talk About the Ride
Speak and Imitate
Is your child trying to speak and imitate what you say? Try to build on this when you’re out by pointing to vehicles that pass by and naming them. If you see a car, bus, truck or taxi, call it out. Involve them by having them point and name with you.
Ride ’em Cowboy
With your child on your lap, pretend you’re riding together on different things. First say, “We’re on a horse. Neigh!” while bouncing up and down. Then say, “Now we’re in a race car!” and move quickly from side to side. Watch their reaction to the motions and repeat the ones that they like.
Window Catcher
Ask your child if they want to be a window watcher. Follow their gaze as you point out a window and chat about what you both see. Share where you’re looking. Create names for what’s out there and talk about what each thing does.
What Sounds do You Hear?
When you’re out with your child, talk about what you hear. It can be cars, birds, or sirens. Ask your child if they hear the sounds you do. Wait for them to listen. Touch your ears or theirs, or point to where the sound is. Then name another sound and wait for them to respond.… Continue reading What Sounds do You Hear?
Shopping List Story
Going shopping? Make a shopping list and create a story together about the items on the list to remember them: “Once there was a dragon who … loved to eat carrots and slept on a can of soup.” At the store, encourage your child to retell the story and hunt for each item, checking it… Continue reading Shopping List Story
Talk About Why
Every child sometimes does something they should NOT do. Use this time to talk to them about WHY they should not have done it. Then ask them to draw a picture of what happened on a piece of paper. On the other side of the paper, have them draw what they could have done in… Continue reading Talk About Why
Talk About Tomorrow
Today’s the perfect time to talk to your child about tomorrow. Find out what they hope tomorrow has in store for them: “If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you most want to do?” Ask follow-up questions to stretch the moment. It’s a good way to learn about their hopes for the future.
