Ask Babs: Toddler Time Enhanced

by Babs Hadjusiewicz November 19, 2015

Q: How can I interact with my toddler more and on a regular basis?

A: Play a Senses Game: Listen, Listen! Sounds All Around! This is a fun and interactive game for you and your infant or toddler to play at any time, no matter where you may be. This listening game helps to build your child’s awareness of sounds. And if he’s pre-verbal, you will take your turn and his.

To begin the game, say enthusiastically, “Let’s play a game. Let’s listen and name the sounds we hear. Ready? Let’s play!”

You’ll go first and say, “Listen! Listen! I hear a sound!” Then model the use of a complete sentence to name a sound you hear. For example, you might say, “I hear a car whizzing by!” Then tell your infant or toddler it’s her turn.

Ask her to listen and name a sound she hears. If she says one word or any approximation of a word, you’ll put that word in a sentence, to say something, like: “Oh! You heard a dog bark! Yes! Okay, it’s my turn now.”

At other times, extend this interactive game to play these different kinds of Senses Games:

Sniff, Sniff the Smells Around!

Look, Look at Sights Around (much like the game of I Spy)

Touch, Touch the Things Around!

Taste, Taste the Foods Around!

Babs Hadjusiewicz

Author

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