When you’re outside, pause and ask your child to “Name That Sound.” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing children playing or a dog barking? The squeak of a swing or the chirp of a bird? Point out that some things, like ants, don’t make sounds.
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Where’s the crayon?
Place something small and safe, like a crayon, in the palm of one hand. Close both hands, asking, “Where’s the Crayon?” When your child points to one of your hands, open it, saying, “Yes, here’s the crayon!” or if the crayon’s not there, open the other hand.
Count steps
When your child is learning to walk up and down stairs, hold their hand, and count each step you take. This helps them become familiar with their numbers and it’s fun!
Use a mirror to play
During changing time, see if there’s something safe and mirror-like to give your child. Point to their nose in the mirror and say, “There’s your nose. Can you find your mouth? Your eyes?” Have a conversation about what they’re finding.
Use gestures to communicate
Practice using gestures with your child as another way to communicate. You can wave your hand and say “hi!” or shake your head and say “no.” Or you can clap your hands and say “yay!” See if they will mimic your actions and sounds. Try going back and forth like a conversation.
Talk about textures
As you change your child, talk about the things you’re using and how they feel. Talk about the wet wipe, the soft pad, or whatever is handy. Watch where they’re looking or pointing, and talk about that too. “That’s the bed. It’s soft,” or “This is the diaper. It’s smooth!”
Talk about your shopping experience
As you shop, think about what your child might be seeing and discuss it with them while paying attention to sights, sounds, and smells. “Do you hear someone talking? It’s the lady over there.” “What do you smell? It smells yummy.” “See that red thing? It’s an apple we’re going to buy.”
Sing about daily activities
There are things we do every day. Sing the same songs at those moments to explain what you’re doing with your child. Examples could be leaving a room, finishing eating, or washing hands. What else do you do daily that you could sing about?
Hide
Invite your child to hide. Then search for them, talking out loud about the clues you’re using to find them. You can say, “I see something wiggling. I wonder if they’re near that chair.” If they giggle, say, “I hear a laughing noise near the door.” Now you hide and they make up the clues… Continue reading Hide
Line up big and small items
Pick a few objects around the house, and line three of them up by size from smallest to biggest. Talk with your child about the lineup. Have them turn around while you rearrange the objects. See if they can put them back into the original order and talk them through it!
