Category: Speak to

As your child plays, encourage them to find something to climb over or crawl under. What about something they can roll on the ground, bang like a drum, or balance? This game is fun inside or outside. Talk with them about it. What was the same and what was different?

You can play this rhyming game anywhere, anytime. Think of a fun word, then let your child think of another word that rhymes with it. Take turns and keep going back and forth as long as you can! Plan? Fan? Ran?

Ask your child to talk about their day using feeling words like happy, excited, and sad. Try questions like, “Was there a time when you felt frustrated today?” Ask them to make faces that express these feelings. Share your day as well.

In the evening, ask your child what their favorite part of the day was. Make sure you follow up with questions. “Why did you like that? Was it more fun than the last time you did that? Why?” You can make this a regular part of your day!

In a calm moment together, take the time to look at your child’s face. Point to their nose and say, “your nose.” Then point to your nose and say, “my nose.” Respond to what they do. Do they point too? Do they smile or repeat your words or sounds? Try this with different parts of… Continue reading Face Pointing

You can talk to your child about anything! Use their name as you make eye contact and chat. Your attention is like a hug from the inside that helps them feel focused, calm, and settled. Pay attention to what is happening around them and talk about it.

Have your child help with safe and simple tasks while you are cooking. Mixing or adding an ingredient can be good places to start. As you work, ask them what they think will happen when they stir things together or add something new. Listen to their ideas, then talk together about what you see happening.

Get silly while getting clean! Tell your child, “Let’s wash your hands!” but start washing their feet. What do they do? Then say: “Oh! Those are your feet! Where are your hands?” As they get older, have them lead, using other parts of their body like elbows, wrists, and ankles.

Let your child be your partner as you wash up before a meal. Say, “It’s time to wash our hands, yours and mine.” Put soap on both your hands and lather up. Be silly as you dry your hands off together. Do you shake dry? Toss the towel back and forth? Make a hand jumble?… Continue reading Hand-washing Game

Hand-washing time? Tell your child, “This is the HOT water (point to the faucet); this is the COLD water. Together they make warm water! This is the soap. Soap and water make BUBBLES that clean our hands. Now, let’s rinse off the bubbles. Can you help me dry my hands with this towel?”