Language and Social Skills

Interactions Through Vision Exercises

  She is very alert and aware of her surroundings. Let’s use her growing acute sense of vision to teach her about her world and engage her. As her distance vision comes into clearer focus, try these activities: Blow bubbles-encourage her to watch the bubbles as they float away. Can she keep her eyes on...

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Why to Avoid Electronic Toys

  Some very informative studies have recently been published and the findings might surprise you. Studies were conducted comparing electronic toys to more conventional toys such as blocks, puzzles, and wooden tools and they found that adults were less responsive to children when the children were playing with electronic toys than other toys. The studies...

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Stranger Anxiety

Suddenly he’s apprehensive about strangers! And even some family members. What changed? This is actually a sign of healthy development. He is learning that he is independent of you. While this is an exciting cognitive milestone because he now understands the difference between you and a stranger,  it can also bring some tears. She has...

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Conversational Turns

  Some studies suggest that babies understand the pause and flow of a conversation as early as three weeks. Pay close attention to your baby when you are having a conversation with someone. Does she look from you to the other person when you pause, anticipating the other person to talk next? When you talk...

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Object Permanence

  Play is great fun, but structured play teaches your baby about the world and it is a great way for your baby to learn some early STEM skills. Object Permanence Games: Play peek a boo Hide toys under blanket or scarves and help your baby find them Play with toys that hide such as...

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Baby Sign Language Basics

The baby sign trend has been picking up steam over the past 20 years and is used in a lot of childcare centers and by parents alike. It makes great sense as their fine motor skills are developing ahead of their oral motor skills and they can use their hands to express themselves before they...

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How to fully engage your baby in the book

Tips for reading to your baby: Engage him in the book by singing the words. Get on his level so you are face to face while reading. Use expression and different voices and make faces while you read. You don’t have to read the words. You can describe the pictures. Ask him questions while you...

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Incorporate Movement Into Language

While you are talking to your baby, incorporate some movement. This helps him link two senses together, makes the language and communication more engaging, and is great for the development of hearing and body awareness. We love wrist rattles and bootie rattles for cause and effect, body awareness, movement, and linking two senses together. Talk...

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Include Baby in the Conversation

Studies show that babies understand the pause and flow of a conversation as early as three weeks. They will look from one speaker to the other when the first speaker pauses. Engage your baby even more by making eye contact with him and occasionally speaking to him during a conversation with someone else. This will...

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Rhythms of Speech

We speak in rhythms and turn taking is an important part of conversation and communication. You can start teaching these concepts very early through play. Think about rhythms and turn taking as you interact with your baby. Turn taking with counting builds anticipation and fun....

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