The wait is over—the bundle of joy is here!
Engaging with your new baby is an amazing experience. Often Mothers seek information on how to encourage language development in young children. Check out the following tips of things to do to encourage your infant to make a loving connection.
Engage In Activities That Will Encourage Eye Contact
In infants positioning your baby to achieve a face to face position is a wonderful way to gain his/her attention. Use a gentle touch on the nose or cheek to encourage them “to look.” Smile, and sing or talk. Attempt to decrease other auditory or visual stimuli to decrease distractions. Eye contact is used to gain attention, or express a need.
Developing Joint Attention
Sharing in experiences, communicating by using their eyes. When an individual looks at an object, and looks back at another person. Joint attention fosters social skills and allows individuals to communication. Often Mom holds a bottle, baby sees the bottle and looks back at Mom…
Engage In Play
Peek a boo, vocal play, making funny sounds all encourage baby to engage creating an interest in communication. Talk about everything! During your daily routines playing, bathing, feeding, talk about everything, and look at baby with a look of expectation. Yes you’re awaiting a response, whether it is cooing or actual words.
Follow Your Child’s Lead
Always allow your child to show you what they are interested in. Engage as they do and expand.
Games And More Games
Introduce simple games of imitation, these activities foster motor movements. Games involving clapping, waving, and blowing bubbles, pushing and pulling or even stacking blocks for older children.
My Turn Your Turn
Encourage activities that foster this skill. Rolling a ball, ball toss, picture card.
Minimize Technology
Everything has its place, and too much of anything has been said to be “not good”. Be mindful of screen time, and never use technology to take the place of true communication exchange.