InterviewsInvalid Date
//
Share Article
Loading...
Stop feeling lost, we’re here for you.
Download the app now and join a community of over 100,000 families, supporting you on your parenting journey.
Download the app now and join a community of over 100,000 families, supporting you on your parenting journey.
By Marwa Sati
Published on Invalid Date
4 minutes read
Communication between infant and parent begins the day the child is born. Infants communicate their needs through cries, eye contact, and moving their little bodies (even kicking for excitement and tongue movement to practice getting ready to eat!). Each child develops at a different rate and norms are ranges not guarantees for development. Your child may be ahead in milestones in physical development but may be below milestones in social development. Here are some simple everyday activities and strategies that really revolve around your day such as chores and allow for natural interactions you can have with your infant that will get that little brain thinking and understanding new words from day 1!
Your child will learn and understand new words such as body parts and textures. What you could say:
Your child will learn words associated with diaper changes, and the order of how things are done (first, then, next, last)
What you could say:
Your child will learn about clothing and seasonal clothes (spring, summer, fall, winter), the order of putting them on and how they are put on (on, off, over, under). What you could say:
Your child will learn about food names, kitchen items, where things go (in/out, etc.) What you could say: “Time to make dinner! Hmmm, what should I make?” I think we should make chicken, potatoes, some cheesy noodles, and maybe some fruit like pears”. Let’s get the pans out so we can cook! I need to turn on the stove first and remember it is really hot, so never touch it!! I am going to put the potatoes in the pan with a little water to steam it”.
Your child will learn about things and names of the items you dust, action words (reaching, dusting, moving, dancing, lifting, etc.). What you could say: “Time to do some dusting to keep the house clean! I am going to spray some cleaner on the cloth. Listen, it makes a sound (which you can also make). Let’s start with the TV, dusting over the screen, on top of the TV. Now I have to move these great pictures of mom and dad (Show your infant the picture), now I need to dust the coffee table”.
Your child will learn about using eye contact and how important it is when communicating. What you can do: While doing the dishes, place your child in his/her bouncer on the floor, explain what you are doing and why. ‘I am putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher to make them clean.” Make up some silly dishwasher sounds. After turning on the dishwasher, put your hand up to your ear, “do you hear that________?” It’s the sound of the dishwasher. Then make the sound with your mouth.
This article is adapted from A Early Childhood Theories and Contemporary Issues: An Introduction by Mine Conkbayir
Marwa Sati is a speech-language pathologist and an educational psychologist. She has over 20 years experience in working with children and their families in her areas of specialty. Marwa is the clinical and managing director of TRS Learning Center which is a child development center offering specialized and comprehensive consultations, assessments, specialized therapy, learning support and educational programs.
Marwa holds a bachelor and a masters degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Utah and a masters degree in educational psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Marwa has also completed a certification in Educational Assessment from Eastern Michigan University.
