When changing your child’s diaper, describe the steps you’re taking: “First you lay down. Then we take off your pants. Now I unfasten your diaper.” Pause after each so they can lift their bottom or move their legs to help.
Category: 6 Loving Habits
Point out colors
As you shop, let your child help by holding some stuff. Choose the items by color or let them point to the one they want to hold and name the color. “You’re holding the yellow box. What else is yellow?” or “Can you hold this brown box?”
What’s that sound?
Do you hear a sound? Pause. Ask your child, “What’s that sound?” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing a slamming door or papers rustling? The squeak of a sliding chair or someone clearing their throat? Name them all together!
Name that sound
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.
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.”