Before you go out, grab some safe things for your child to play with and put them in a bag. While you’re waiting, reach into the bag and talk about what you find. “This is something for you to chew on. Here’s a rattle for you to hold. Let’s shake it!”
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Sound off
Turn waiting into a “Sound Off.” Make different sounds like a whisper, peep, ding, or roar. Pause after each sound so your child can respond. Do they smile? Look at you? Make a sound themself? Try a new sound. Keep going back and forth!
What’s happening at the park?
When out at a place like a park, look for the big kids. Sit your child on your lap or move yourselves so you can watch them together and talk about what you’re seeing. “Those kids are playing hide-and-seek like you will one day!”
Jiggle a toy
After a clean diaper is on, hold a small safe toy over your child’s head as they lie on their back. Make a soft noise and jiggle the toy. Do they bat at it with their hands? Try to kick it? Answer their actions with another sound and gentle jiggle.
Put a snack in a bottle
Drop a small snack inside an empty clear plastic bottle. Encourage your child to get the piece out of the bottle. Do they shake the bottle or put their fingers inside? Can they try in different ways. If they’re struggling ask, “What would happen if you turned it upside down?”
Describe food flavors
As you eat with your child, describe the flavors you both are eating. “The fruit is sweet.” “The pickle is sour.” Make a face that goes along with each flavor to make it more fun. You can also talk about which foods you like the best.
Set the table together
As you sit down to eat, look at the table and talk with your child about where things are. “Where’s the plate? The plate is on the table. Veggies are in the bowl. The spoon is next to the plate.” What if you move them? “Now, where is the spoon?”
Copy each other while you eat
Time to eat? Invite your child to imitate what you do. Pick up your spoon, take some food and say, “Mmm delicious,” and put the spoon down. Or take tiny bites and have them do the same. Then invite them to do something and you copy them.
Who wears this?
As you sort laundry, ask your child to guess who it belongs to. You can hold up a shirt, “Who wears this?” Let them respond and then they can pick the next piece of clothing and you guess. If they don’t know, you can tell them and share how you know this.
Describe steps to change clothes
Dressing your child? Talk about each step of the process. For example, “First we put your leg in the pants. Then we put in the other leg. Now we pull the pants up.” Pause after each step so they can move their legs, stand up to help you, or make a comment.