Take turns with your child standing on one foot and then the other, trying to balance. You can say, “Your turn,” and “My turn.” See if you can do it with your eyes closed. What else can you do?
Category: 6 Loving Habits
My Turn, Your Turn
Take turns stacking things with your child to build a tower. Say, “My turn,” as you stack one and then, “Your turn,” as they do. Eventually, stop using words. Do they keep taking turns? Try to playfully break the rules and take two turns. What do they do?
Silly Song Game
You and your child can play this game anywhere you are. Find a small item to pass back and forth and sing a song as you do. As the song ends, whoever has the object does something special or silly, like blink three times or jump up and down. Take turns.
Be a Statue
Ask your child to pretend to be a statue and freeze in a pose, like standing on one foot. Try to have them hold this pose as long as possible while you do everything you can to make them laugh and move. Then you can take a turn as the statue and see if they… Continue reading Be a Statue
Copy Each Other
Smile at your child and wink at them. Then encourage them to try to copy you. When they can do this, change the order—wink first and then smile. You can step it up the challenge by smiling and winking two times.
Word Pattern
Pick two food words, such as banana and apple, to make a word pattern two times. Repeat with your child, “Banana, apple, banana, apple.” Have them pick two food words and make a pattern two times: “fork, spoon, fork, spoon.” Talk about which word comes first and second.
Celebrate Independence
Does your child want to do everything themselves? Whether it’s eating with fingers or trying to use a fork, give them ways to be more independent. Talk to them about what they’re doing. If they need, help them a little. When they’re done, notice how they respond with a smile or an “I did it!”… Continue reading Celebrate Independence
Clothes Options
Does your child want to choose their clothes? Help them by giving them two choices: “Do you want to wear your blue pants or your green pants?” When they choose, congratulate them by saying, “Great choice, I like those too.”
Teeth Brushing Partner
When brushing your teeth, have your child be your partner. Let them brush their own teeth first, then give them your toothbrush so they can help brush yours. Ask, “Can you help me brush my teeth? Can you brush the ones in the front, and then the ones on the sides?” Take turns!
Rock Play
Ask your child to find an object like a stick or rock and place it on the ground near you. Encourage them to explore different ways of moving over it: Can they jump? Hop over on just one foot? Run and then jump? Take turns jumping with them and talk together about how far you… Continue reading Rock Play
