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!

1. Activity:  Bathing

Your child will learn and understand new words such as body parts and textures. What you could say:

• Talk about which body part you are washing out-loud.  You can even make a silly song to it!
• Talk about toys in the tub and use the words “squishy, soft, hard, rough”.

2. Activity:  Diaper changes

​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:

• First I am going to take your dirty diaper off, then use the wipes, they may feel cold….brrrr.
• Create a diaper change song! Start with the same cue (a special phrase or even something simple such as “diaper time” and sing it each time so baby begins to know it is time for a change.

3. Activity:  Getting dressed

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:

• “It’s time to get you dressed, you will need pants and a long sleeve shirt.  It is very cold out!  First let’s put your shirt on (take this opportunity to play peek-a-boo, especially if the infant does not enjoy something over his/her head). Now for your pants, one foot, now the other foot, up to your tummy”.

4. Activity:  Cooking dinner 

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”.  

5. Activity:  Dusting the living room

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”.  

6. Activity:  Doing the dishes

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