Listening Ears & Vocabulary

Your Listening Ears and Rich Vocabulary Support Your Child’s Brain Development

Your child may be a small baby who only makes vowel sounds to communicate with you. How do you engage with her at this age to foster her growth?

Or your child may be old enough to ask lots of questions about the world around him. Do you take the time to answer him or hold a discussion? Do you encourage your child to take some time to think about the question to see what kind of answer he can make on his own?

Perhaps your child has stories that she wants to share about her day or something she saw. How often do you stop what you are doing to listen carefully and give your child your undivided attention?

Daily communication opportunities are crucial to your relationship and your child’s development. At these stages your child is building the foundation for his language and brain development. Reading aloud with him and continuing his language development cannot be over-emphasized when it comes to its level of importance. The more words, causes and effects, colors, and safe environments for children to explore the better!

Review the tips below on how you can support your child’s brain development:

BIRTH TO 1

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  • Repeat vowel sounds like "ba" "ma" and "da." Make eye contact and imitate your baby’s expressions. Read, count, and talk to them often.
  • Show your baby pictures in books. Describe the colors, objects, and meanings.
  • When you take your baby out to the zoo, grocery store, or just for a walk around the neighborhood, be sure to talk to them about their surroundings
  • Once your baby is pulling up and standing on his own, help him practice walking by holding onto your fingertips.
  • Sing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Patty Cake” while smiling at your baby and doing the hand motions along with the song.

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AGE 1 TO 2

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  • Introduce your child to baby sign language. Start by introducing two to three words while also speaking them. See the link below for more information.
  • Play various genres of music and sing together. Observe your child’s face as they hear different tunes. Dance or play along with rattles.
  • Help your little one roll a ball or build a tower out of soft blocks. Watch them knock down the blocks and repeat the activity over and over.
  • Save a few containers and lids from the kitchen for playtime. Oatmeal, peanut butter, a juice bottle, and rubber containers are easy choices. Allow your child to open and explore.
  • Spread a blanket on the floor for you and your child. Using a cookie sheet, place an ice cube on it, then add some water and watch your child explore.

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AGE 2 TO 3

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  • Secure an ice tray to the table. Place different finger foods such as cereal, raisins, or carrots in an ice cube tray and allow your child to taste and explore. Ask them to describe the colors, textures and tastes.
  • Think out loud around your baby. "Whoops, I spilled the juice on the table. Time to clean up my mess."
  • While reading or out at the grocery store, take time to build your child’s vocabulary. Describe an object in as many words as possible. For example,  "that apple is plump, red, smooth, crunchy, sweet, and nutritious."
  • Be creative with tub toys by using what you have around the house. Try toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, pvc pipes and drinking straws. Watch your little one explore on their own.
  • Check out your neighborhood library! Schedule time to attend a book reading with your little one or obtain their first library card.

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AGE 3 TO 4

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  • Play with stamps and ink to make up stories. Help your child by writing the words down, and writing the word for the stamp underneath the imprint.
  • Make and play with silly putty (recipe below in resources): Let your child help measure and mix the ingredients. Ask her to describe how it feels.
  • Ask your child about his likes and dislikes – “I know you like unicorns. What do you like about them?”
  • Read out loud all the time! Not only should you be reading books but you can also read cooking instructions, signs on the road, and more. The more words they are exposed to the better.
  • Challenge your child to a game of “what if.” For example, “What would you have done if there was just one apple left but mommy was hungry too?”

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AGE 4 TO 5

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  • Interview your little one each month and record the answers on paper or video it on your phone. See how their opinions grow and change each month. They’ll love reviewing it too!
  • Work together to complete a puzzle. Compliment their work with positive phrases that praise their effort such as “I see you put together four pieces on your own. You should be proud of yourself” instead of more general phrases like “good job.”
  • Talk your child through the upcoming day. For example, “We will leave for the grocery store when the clock says 5:30 p.m. Once we get there, you can help get the shopping cart and we will put eggs, milk, and noodles in the basket."
  • Introduce your child to the post office! Before you go, ave her make a drawing or card for a family member that you can mail once there.
  • Help your child learn to identify their emotions by acknowledging your child’s feelings. For example, “You must be happy! I see you have a giant smile on your face.”

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RESOURCES

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  • http://thedeliberatemom.com/opening-containers-an-activity-for-infants-and-toddlers/
  • http://helpmegrowutah.blogspot.com/2012/05/cognitive-activities-you-can-do-at-home.html
  • http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/diy-crafts/yogurt-silly-putty/2
  • http://www.parenting.com/gallery/baby-sign-language-words-to-know

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GPP: Outdoor Play

Outdoor Play Can Be Fun For Parents and Children

Babies, infants and toddlers benefit from playing outdoors. It is perfect for exercising their bodies and stimulating their brains. Studies show the more time spent outside in natural surroundings, the more children’s senses are awakened.  However, we understand it can be intimidating to take babies, infants, and toddlers outside for playtime. With the right weather, clothing and activity plans you can have your child loving the great outdoors!

You and your child care provider play a vital role in strengthening your child’s bond with the outdoors. Your child care provider should understand and value outdoor play as a quality indicator for your child’s growth. Ask your provider how much time they are spending outside each day.  At least one hour of outdoor play is recommended for children daily. And, additional outdoor time with family is always a plus. Even a short stroll outside in your neighborhood or nearby park offers great Vitamin D exposure and bonding time for both of you. See below for more benefits of outdoor play and age-appropriate outdoor activity ideas.

Benefits of Outdoor Play:

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    • Strengthens immune systems
    • Promotes physical activity
    • Develops motor skills
    • Decreases chances of depression and attention disorders
    • Positively affects sleeping patterns
    • Increase children’s creativity and imagination

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Don’t forget the camera so that you can take lots of pictures of your child as she explores the world around her!

BIRTH TO 1

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  • Infants love bigger kids! Visit a playground and let your baby watch the older children play. You can join in on the fun too by taking her on the slide or the swing and holding her snugly in your lap!
  • Take your child on a nature walk, pointing out different trees, birds, clouds and signs as you go.
  • When the weather is good, spread out a blanket on the grass and have some tummy time. Place a few baby toys in reach for discovery.
  • Use a cardboard box to make a sensory box for your baby. Include toys and safe household items with different textures, sizes and noises.
  • Place your baby in the stroller or carrier and blow some bubbles. Bubbles are great for developing your baby’s motor and sensory skills.

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AGE 1 TO 2

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  • Create a nature hunt! Show your child pictures of leaves, bugs, rocks and more. Then search and find!
  • Who doesn’t love bubbles? Take turns blowing bubbles and see how many your child can catch.
  • Grab her walker and head outside. Be sure that the path is even and solid to prevent falls.
  • Collect rocks and paint a few. Then make up stories using them as visual aids.
  • Build a tower out of cups. Then have fun knocking it down. Encourage them to crawl, run or walk through it. They can even try rolling or throwing a ball at the tower.

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AGE 2 TO 3

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  • Grab a flashlight and sit on the back porch with your little one to discover the sights of the night.
  • Take water table play outside! You can make your own water tub with a plastic tub or Tupperware bin. Fill with an inch of water and a few containers for water play. Using it outside makes spills an even easier cleanup!
  • Can you make music outside? Take out some tin cans of various sizes, find some sticks and create a drum corp!
  • Ring around the rosy, hide and go seek, and tag are great outdoor games for this age!
  • Play a game of toss using balls, hoops or even soft stuffed animals.

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AGE 3 TO 4

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  • Head to the park and enjoy the swing set.
  • Outdoor play is great for sensory play! Spend time in the sand – at the park, the beach, or make your own sandbox – to feel the sand’s texture and work those fingers.
  • Have you noticed how much your child loves to race? Go outside with a timer, and see how long it takes him to run a 10 or 50 yard dash, skips from one mailbox to another, or walk backwards down the sidewalk.
  • Head outside and have fun with your shadows. Take some chalk with you and have your child outline your shadow.
  • Use sidewalk chalk to make games of hopscotch or practice writing letters.

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AGE 4 TO 5

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  • Make your own transportable sandbox with a plastic bin. Fill with an inch of sand and a few containers for playtime.
  • Play statue outside and have your child do some of the yoga poses they might have learned earlier in the month from our “Maximize Playtime” post.
  • Grab a magnifying glass and explore nature together. Encourage your child to draw or journal about the items he finds during this time.
  • Play catch in the backyard or at the park.
  • Create an obstacle course for your child using household objects: sand buckets can be used for balancing on one leg or jumping over, hula hoops are good for jumping in. Use a jump rope to create a straight line they must walk on. Use your imagination together to make it as easy or hard as you want!

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Resources:

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GPP: Maximizing Playtime

Make Every Moment Count! See Tips for Maximizing an Hour of Playtime with Your Little One.

Dinner must be prepared, bath time is approaching, and bedtime is on your mind. With so much to do after an already long day it can be hard to think about how to make the most of your precious time with your child before the day is over. However, since children learn best through play and it is essential to their development, it is important that you find the time. Plus, these are moments your child cherishes with you and may easily be the highlight of your day too!

Playtime is a natural activity for children and provides much needed time to bond with you as well. Even if it is just one hour before bedtime, play allows children to use their creativity, imagination, motor skills, and develop their strengths. Too tired to come up with activity ideas? Don’t worry! We have you covered.

First, set expectations from the beginning. Tell your child you have 60 minutes to play and then set a timer. Inform them that when the alarm goes off, it is time to crawl into bed for the night. See below for some age-appropriate play ideas:

BIRTH TO 1

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  • Put family pictures on soft blocks. Wrap each block in clear contact paper. Encourage your baby to look at, reach for or touch the blocks. While pointing at pictures use prompts such as, “Look at Mommy,” or “Where’s Grandpa?” Wait a few seconds, giving your baby time to respond.
  • Record a familiar teacher or family member singing a children’s song or reading a favorite book. Play this for your baby at different times of the day as a lullaby for naptime or to introduce story time.
  • Read a bed time story in your child’s room. Snuggling together to share a story creates a bond of respect and trust.
  • Kiss, sing, and play! Lie down and place your body and face so that your baby must look downward to see you.
  • Place a soft toy on your baby's chest and watch them as they explore with their eyes. Use voice prompts and point out interesting features such as colors and patterns.

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  • Blow kisses, smile and talk with your little one during bath time. Add soft water-safe toys, child-safe baby shampoo and washcloths or sponges. Remember to never leave your child alone in the bath for any amount of time.
  • Using a play telephone or block, pretend to talk on the phone. Prompt your child to mimic you by saying, “Mommy wants to talk to you.”
  • Sing songs together. Feel free to make up your own words to tunes they may recognize.
  • Read a bed time story. Quality children's literature helps kids learn valuable lessons.
  • Dress appropriately and spread a blanket on the grass. Stargaze together. Describe other things you see up above - trees, planes, stars, clouds, etc. Ask them if they hear the sounds of birds singing, wind rustling leaves and planes flying.

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  • Play some of their favorite music and dance around to get any pent-up energy out.
  • Play hide-n-seek together! Hide something interesting, such as a favorite toy or stuffed animal, near your child’s bed for them to find. Take turns and let her hide as well as seek.
  • Make matching socks a game. Have your child find the match and talk about pairs, matching, similarities, and differences.
  • Place a baby-safe mirror in front of you and your child. Talk about how you are similar and different.
  • Make shadow puppets and have a conversation with your child before bedtime.

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AGE 3 to 4

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  • Read a story together then act out a few scenes. Pull out some clothes and dress up as the characters.
  • Have a seat outside and talk about the sounds you hear. Tree leaves rustling, dog barking, plane overhead, a car driving by, etc.
  • Teach your child how to play “Simon Says.” Command him to jump, dance, hop on one leg. Be sure to let him take a turn being Simon.
  • Try journaling together. Make a sketch of what you want to happen tomorrow.
  • Make up a dance routine together to one of your favorite songs.

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AGE 4 to 5

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  • Ask your little one to imitate being a frog, tree, seed, or flower. See below for some some creative yoga poses for kids.
  • Have you ever tried making origami together? Our links below has a site to help you make  bears, boats, planes, hats, stars, pinwheels, and more.
  • Search online for a free audio book for kids and then listen together. Good resources include your county library,
  • Sort the money in their piggy bank together, naming each coin. Talk about possibilities for saving, giving, and spending.
  • Learn sign language together. There are several online guides that help you learn the American Sign Language signs for letters and common words or phrases.

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Resources:

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GPP: Supporting Creativity & Pretend Play

Is Your Child Care Program Supporting Creativity and Pretend Play in the Classroom?

DSC_0541Pretend play, also called dramatic or creative play, is how children learn best. In this kind of play, children often imitate life which allows them to work on important soft skills such as conflict resolution, problem solving, how to listen to instructions and develop confidence. Early child experts believe, and research has shown, that developing these abilities play just as significant of a role in being kindergarten-ready and attaining success later in life as focusing on literacy and numeracy.

Dramatic play is usually child-led but can be framed by an adult and encouraged by ready materials in the classroom, or at home. The best materials are the ones that mirror everyday life: clothes, handbags, shoes, fabric, used cell phones, plastic kitchen utensils, baby dolls and children’s costumes.

You can help encourage your child’s creativity and learning by providing props, ideas, and time for pretend play. Encourage them to role play their likes and dislikes, abilities and interests. Guide them as they role play with uncomfortable situations such as: getting a shot at the doctor or coping with an illness in the family. Ask questions such as: “What do you think will happen next?” or “What if the rocket ship lands on a different planet?” This kind of play helps your child strategize, communicate, and use their social skills to navigate through scenarios. So the next time the couch turns into a volcano, join in on the fun!

Ask your Child Care Provider:

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  • Are there designated materials and space for dramatic play?
  • How does the child care program incorporate creative play into each day?
  • Is the children’s play child-led or teacher-led?
  • Does the program value work created by the children, such as block structures, during imaginative play and allow them to keep the structure up until the children have moved on to a new idea?
  • Does the child care program promote creative play with infants, such as with singing accompanied by hand motions?
  • What can you do to support pretend play in the classroom? (For example, donate clean and gently-used dress up clothes, or supplies for a kitchen area).

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Birth to 1

 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4

4 to 5
Even babies enjoy pretend play. Try singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with the hand motions. Soon she will be mimicking your moves!

 

 One year olds are on the go! They love toys that support their interests: building, experimenting, and pretending.

Play “Pretend” putting on shoes, talking on the phone, falling asleep and waking up.

 

 Does your child care have plenty of supplies to encourage dramatic play? You can help keep it stocked by donating costumes and supplies.

 

 Preschoolers love make-believe! Blocks become cities; sheets become capes for a king! Host a tea party or explore the jungle. Does your child's teacher ever ask the kids to act out their favorite story? It's a great way to encourage pretend play in the classroom.

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GPP: Choosing the Right Toys

How to Choose the Right Toys

aa_boy_on_ball_child_boy The “right” toy is one that is safe for your child to play with, as well as matches their stage of development and emerging abilities.

All children reach developmental milestones at different rates and what they are interested in varies. Therefore the “right” toy for one child may not be the best one for another. Also, buying the latest and greatest toys isn’t always necessary. Some of the best play items are free and found at home, such as cardboard boxes, ribbon and yarn, and plastic bowls. However all toys should be age-appropriate, safe, interactive, and most importantly fun!

Keep These Guidelines in Mind When Choosing Toys Safety Considerations:

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  • Fabric toys should be labeled flame resistant or flame retardant
  • Stuffed toys should be washable
  • Painted toys should be lead-free
  • Art materials should be labeled as non-toxic
  • Batteries in toys should be secured and not easily removable
  • Discard broken, ripped or cracked toy parts
  • Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
  • Consider the suggested age level for the toy before you purchase as these ages are based on a child’s age, skill level, and size.

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Birth to 1 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5
When buying toys for your baby, stay away from small toys that can fit inside their mouth or items with a cord. Click Here for baby toys. One year olds are on the go! They love toys that support their interests: building, experimenting, and pretending. Have you noticed your toddler doing a lot of jumping and climbing? Balls, climbers and ride-ons are great toys for them. Three year olds are dreamers and thinkers! Puzzles help them with problem solving and old clothes are perfect for dress up! Preschoolers love playing with you and their friends. Imaginative play is still strong at this age, but so are board games and balls!
Hold a rattle or teddy bear over your baby while they are lying down. Give them a chance to reach and grab it. Play "Simon Says" touch your nose, touch your toes, spin around, sit down, or jump up and down. Set aside the socks from a clean load of laundry. Have your child help pair the matching socks. Provide a variety of rubber stamps, paper and small boxes. Encourage your child to stamp the paper and boxes independently. Click here for homemade stamp ideas. Paper has endless possibilities. Make some origami characters together. Click Here for a Bear!
Peek –a-boo is lots of fun at this age! Hide your face with a small blanket or use your hands. Using a play telephone or toy, pretend to talk on the phone. Give your child a turn to say, "Hello, How are you doing?' Let's make nature bracelets. Place masking tape, sticky side up around your child's wrist. Help them use leaves and small flowers to secure small items on the bracelet. Create an obstacle course using items around the house: hula-hoops, cones, balls, and rope. Collect items throughout the day that can go into the bathtub. Play a game of "What Floats." Ask questions like "Do you think this will float?" Item Ideas: straws, spoons, bottles, etc.
Soft balls, large rings, teething toys and rattles are perfect for babies. Cover the table with a large sheet of paper and pull out the crayons. Show your child how to make circles and dots. Wash fruit for a fruit salad. Give your child a plastic knife and fruit to cut. Help them cut bananas, oranges, and grapes. Talk about other fruits to add and allow them to stir their own salad. Make play dough or buy some. Play using plastic knives and rollers. Encourage your child to spell their name or make a special character. Create a secret handshake with your child. Snap your fingers, bump your fist, dance, and have fun with it!
Record a family member singing a children's song or reading a book. Play this for your infant as a lullaby. Toddlers love piling blocks and knocking them down. Help them build on and when it’s down say, "Ready, set, crash!" Cover the table with a large sheet of paper and pull out the crayons, finger paint, and sponges. Make some music together. Grab your instruments or click here for ideas on how to make your own. Get a magnifying glass and discover. Encourage them to take a look at fingerprints, leaves, and other objects.

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GPP: Prevent Illness Spreading

How Does Your Child Care Program Keep Illness from Spreading?

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Germs can spread quickly in a child care setting. Little hands and toys frequently find their ways to mouths; fingers into nostrils. Then, these same hands, toys and fingers touch a friend’s mouth, a door handle or a new toy and it is germ city!

If you have not already, check in with your child’s teacher to find out what the sick policy is and how the child care program helps keep the children in their care healthy.

Questions to ask regarding the sick policy:

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  • When should a child who is sick stay home from child care?
  • When a child was at child care with a highly infectious sickness, how will the care giver alert other parents?
  • If your child becomes sick at child care, how will it be handled?
  • What plans are in place to lower the chances of my child getting sick from another ill child?
  • If your child has a mild illness like a cold, will he be allowed to attend child care?
  • When are children who have had a fever or vomited allowed to return to child care?

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Birth to 1 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5
Babies love to put toys in their mouth. How does your child care provider make sure they are sanitized daily as not to infect other children? Ask if the diaper areas are sanitized after each use and if the children’s toilets/bathrooms are sanitized each day. Are there sinks in every room? Are there separate sinks for preparing food and washing hands? Do the children use disposable towels so that they each have their own towel to dry their hands? One of the best ways to cut down illnesses at your child care is to make sure everyone is washing their hands often and thoroughly! This includes upon arrival, after sand or water play, before and after eating, etc. Kids who have had a fever or vomited within the last 24 hours should stay home from child care. Is this your care provider's policy too?
Label your child’s bottles and pacifiers. Be certain your contact information is up-to-date in order for your provider to reach you regarding their health. Label all of your child’s items: drinking cups, towels, clothes, etc. Proper hand washing is perfect for combating illness, ask your provider how often do the children wash their hands. Child care providers and children should all receive the flu vaccine in order to reduce the risk of illness.

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