Do you find yourself wishing you had more one-on-one time with your children? In the hustle and bustle of daily life, between chores, errands, and the never-ending laundry, it can be challenging to carve out quality moments with your little ones.

In this post, I'll share some practical ideas to help you create meaningful connections with your child while boosting their language development.

‍

Back and Forth People Games

One of the most effective ways to engage your child and foster essential pre-communication skills is through back-and-forth people games. These activities are not only quick and enjoyable but also serve as a foundation for communication. Here's how they work:

Imitation: Encourage your child to mimic your actions, sounds, and words. This helps them understand the concept of imitation, a crucial skill in language development.

Initiation: Provide opportunities for your child to take the lead in these games. Let them initiate actions or sounds, reinforcing their understanding of initiating communication.

Turn-Taking: Teach your child the importance of taking turns during these games. This skill lays the groundwork for meaningful conversations.

Gesturing and Intent: Use gestures, signs, and facial expressions to convey your messages during these interactions. This helps your child understand non-verbal communication cues.

Children thrive on the element of surprise, so vary your intonation and pause during these games to create anticipation. You'll find that they might even fill in the blanks with their own sounds, gestures, or words!

At the core of our philosophy is fun. When children are enjoying themselves, they are learning at their best. And remember, the one thing your child will always find the most fun is YOU.

‍

Building Blocks of Communication

All these skills are like the building blocks of communication. So, take a moment to get down on the floor and engage with your child, even if it's just for 30 seconds! Here are a few bonus ideas to get you started:

1. Tickle with Anticipation: Countdown from 3...2...1... and then surprise your child with a tickle! This game not only encourages anticipation but also reinforces the joy of shared laughter.

2. "This Little Piggy" with Fingers and Toes: A classic game that involves gentle finger and toe touches, perfect for connecting with your little one.

3. "Round and Round the Garden": Trace circles on your child's tummy, knees, palms, and feet while reciting the familiar rhyme. It's a tactile and auditory experience that can be both soothing and stimulating.

4. "Make Your Hands Go Clap Clap Clap:" Sing this simple tune to encourage your child to mimic the hand-clapping actions. It's a delightful way to teach coordination and imitation.

‍

And My Favourite –

"Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're leaving very soon.

If you want to take a trip, climb aboard the rocket ship.

Zoom, zoom, zoom, we're going to the moon.
3, 2, 1…blast off!"