What does your child love? Find it! Build on it! Share in it!

Is it being tickled?

Is it playing chase games?

Is it Peek-a-boo?

Is it music?

Is it playing with bubbles?

Is it playing with trains, cars, or balls?

What is motivating to your child? Embrace whatever it is. (I hope this goes without saying, but I’m saying it anyway…as long as it is safe and “appropriate!”)

Follow your child’s lead and allow him/her to teach you. Build on your relationship. This will allow for higher success for you to teach your child, and it can also heighten your awareness of what your child can teach you!

Tips:

~ Imitate your child’s vocals and actions.  The best you can of course.

~ Add interactions. Expand on this play by adding a different step or variety to the play.  Be silly…have fun!

~Keep your part simple in the beginning; add a new sound, one word, one action to your child’s play and/or interaction

~ Help your child do what you do (imitate you). You can use hand-over-hand assistance where you take your child’s hands in yours to help him/her complete the activity you did. 

~ Add cues in play such as “Ready, Set, Go” and “Stop” 

~ Remember…always establish some level of eye contact; you may need to get down on the floor or look at positioning when you on the sofa or at the table so that eye contact is promoted between you and your child.

~ Put a limit on the play if it is excessive. You know when it goes on too long…RIGHT?!?!  Trust your gut.  And, give a cue for the change or stopping of the activity such as “one more time then done” and consistently follow through with your statement.

~ Be encouraging; give praise such as hugs or “High 5s.”  This can also be a great way to end your play time together!

I believe parents should encourage a positive environment for learning to be a natural, daily, and frequent occurrence. Your home, generally, should be a happy place where you are silly and welcoming. (Of course, this is not 100% of the time, but it is something you can work on to create as best as possible.) If you feel like you are yelling a lot then work on changing that and the environment. Set up for success…establish short tasks or play experiences throughout the day where you and your child succeed and you can praise him/her.  This will go a long way in your parenting journey…especially when you hit the teenage years!