EIRG Tips & Tricks 4

Early Communication Support and Strategies

What’s Featured This Week?

This week, continue to support your child’s language development with fun activities that will keep you both engaged. Playing with toys is an activity that many children enjoy, and often the best toys are objects already in your home. One example is our Household Toy of the Week: Laundry Baskets. Check out some of the play ideas below as well as some example words and phrases in italics.

Make an Empty Basket Exciting!

Drop clothes into the basket and then dump them back out. (The clothes are in. We dumped them out. It’s empty!)

Sit your child in the bin and pull them so they slide around. You can vary the speed and the “quality” of their ride. (We’re sliding fast! Pull the basket. It’s rocking!)

Turn the bin upside-down, put your child underneath, and play “peek-a-boo.” Then, switch! (You popped out! I’m hiding. It’s on your head.)

Place the bin upside-down and have animals or cars climb over it like a big hill. (The animal is on top. He’s climbing. Drive fast, car!)
Turn the bin on its side and practice kicking balls (or socks!) into the “net.” (Kick the ball. The ball went in. The basket is full. We’re kicking.)

Tip of the Week: Minimize Distractions

An organized, distraction-free play area can go a long way in helping children stay focused and interested in playing with you. You can help your child focus by turning off distractions such as TVs, noisy toys, and music in the background. Additionally, you can encourage your child to stay engaged and communicate with you by staying face-to-face. One way to do this is by keeping the toy or activity in between the two of you. Sitting across from your child, rather than next to or behind, will help your child see exactly what you’re talking about. It will also help you see what your child is paying attention to.