Your Child Will Learn
How to focus attention on someone talking to them
Here’s What to Do
- Select one of your child’s favorite toys, like a stuffed animal or doll.
- Move the toy around and narrate what the toy’s doing.
- Use different voices and be animated while modeling this play conversation- you can even pretend to talk as the toy if you’d like!
- Respond to your child’s reactions.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Place your child in your lap or sit close to them. Have the toy give them a kiss.
ENGAGE
- If the toy has a special name that your child knows, refer to it throughout the conversation by that name – “Bunny really enjoys flying through the air!”
- Narrate everything you do with the toy as you play, like: “Bunny’s hopping on your toes, now she’s hopping on your tummy!”
ENCOURAGE
- Your child may participate in the “conversation” by making noises, facial expressions, or looking at the toy. Follow their lead and react to whatever they do.
- Try this with different types of toys. Is there one your child seems to react to more than other?
REFLECT
- How well was your child able to keep their attention on the toys? Did they try to communicate back to you in any way?
Not Quite Ready
It can be harder to notice in younger babies, but all babies are practicing communicating and having a conversation when they’re interacting with you.
Ready for More
Pretend you’re speaking for the stuffed animal, and encourage your child to have a conversation with the stuffed animal.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will focus their attention on adults interacting with them.
Time to Complete
5-10 minutes
Materials Needed
Toys, puppets, stuffed animals, dolls