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#1 Tips for parents to increase Parent-Child Communication in Infants
Parents spend most time with their children and know when their child is ready to interact. Here are Tips to help model these interactive behaviors with your child!
- Take Turns- This is where you can have a back and fourth interaction with the parent and the child through songs, games such as peekaboo, as well as playing with toys. While interacting with the child through one of these things, do something the child enjoys (singing to them, smiling, clapping) and then wait for the child to do something back it can be ANYTHING before the parent or adult takes another turn.
- Imitate- Imitate is the second step This is where you play “copycat” with your child and any action or infant sound with them.
- Point things out- Pointing things out is another great way to model interactive behaviors with your child. Engage the baby in point attention routines by binging preferred items to the child but be sure the child is looking at you when bringing the item to their attention before turning it on. When the child is between 6-10 months, then add in gestural pointing to encourage joint attention to objects within distance.
- Set the stage- This is a great time to establish anticipatory sets by repeating simple games or songs that the baby enjoys and is familiar with. When playing these games and or songs with your child try to stop momentarily in the middle to see if your child will anticipate or request the next step or action.
Modeling interactive behaviors are helpful tips to help increase and elicit communication with their children.
Paul, R., Norbury, C., & Gosse, C. (2018). Language disorders from infancy through adolescence: Listening, speaking, reading, writing, and communicating (5th ed.)
