After changing your child’s diaper, roll their body from side to side on the changing surface. Stop and ask them, “Do you want more?” See how they respond. You can nod your head, saying, “You said yes, you want more!” or you can shake your head, saying, “You said no, you’re all done.”
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Different Points of View
Show your child the world from different points of view. When they’re in your arms, crouch down low or gently lift them up in the air. Describe what you’re doing and respond to their reactions. “You’re as high as the light! Look what you can see up here!”
Laundry Play
Laundry day can be a great time for brain-building! Give your child some tummy time on different fabrics, like a sweater or a fluffy towel. Describe the textures to them like, “Do you feel the scratchy sweater?” Watch how they react to the way it feels and talk with them about it. Children learn through… Continue reading Laundry Play
Meal Planning
Involve your child in meal planning. Ask them to choose how to organize the meal. Can they do it by color or family favorites? For example, they could ask family members which dish is their favorite. Then help your child draw or write a menu based on everyone’s picks.
Begin Every Word with a Specific Letter
Use a letter, like B, to begin every word you say. Instead of “Hello, how are you?” say, “Bello, bow bar boo?” Encourage your child to use the same letter to begin the words of their response: “I am fine, how are you?” would become “Bye bam bine, bow bar boo?” How long can you… Continue reading Begin Every Word with a Specific Letter
The Spelling Game
Is your child curious about spelling? Take turns going back and forth spelling a simple word like “cat.” You say “C,” they say “A,” and you say “T.” Add a twist and help them spell the word backward with you!
The Letter Game
Start this game by choosing a letter. See if you and your child can think of a sentence that uses as many words as possible that begin with that letter. If you chose the letter M you might say, “My mother made meatballs.” What other M words can you both come up with?
Word of the Day
Come up with a word of the day, like “play.” As you and your child go through your day, point out moments or things you see that remind you of the word of the day. You might say, “Look, those dogs are playing!” Encourage them to find their own examples of the word of the… Continue reading Word of the Day
The License Plate Game
Have your child look for letters or numbers in a specific order on signs and license plates. You can say, “Can you find a one and a two next to each other?” or “Can you find an A and an E next to each other?” Take turns and see who can find the most.
The To-Do List Game
When you’re out running errands, put your child in charge of the list. Have them help list out a few things you both have to do that day. When you finish each task, cross it off the list together!
