– CHANGE PERSON- if dad was playing peek-a-boo, mom can start. If baby was sitting on mom’s lap while rolling a ball back and forth, have baby move to dad’s lap.
– CHANGE RATE – if you were singing, talking, or rolling a ball at regular speed, slow it down or speed it up
– CHANGE TONE – increase your loudness or pitch or perhaps decrease it by using a whisper or a deep voice.
– CHANGE WORD – if you were lifting baby up and saying “uuup”, try “weeee” instead after at least 4-5 trials.
– CHANGE ACTION- if you were clapping your hands, tap your head, tap the table, or stomp your feet.
– CHANGE ACTIVITY – this should be the LAST change you make after you have tried other changes and baby is just not interested. We want baby to stay at an activity for longer so try the other ideas first.
Here are some “people games” you can try at home and on-the-go:
1. PEEK-A-BOO – variations may include hiding behind baby’s high chair, around the corner or ducking your head under the table. You may also use a prop, such as a blanket or washcloth or even your own shirt or jacket. Wait for baby to reach for your hands and/or make a sound before you appear.
2. TAPPING ON THE HIGH CHAIR TRAY – imitate your baby’s taps. Vary it up by changing the rhythm or tapping your head or baby’s hands.
3. UP/DOWN – lifting baby up while saying “uuup” and down while saying “down” or “boom” or “plop” in a silly voice.
4. KISSES – kiss tummy or toes while changing baby. Kiss one foot and then the other and then tap baby’s feet on your cheeks. Make up your own variation.
5. TICKLES – Play this little piggy on baby’s toes, tickle baby saying “koocheekoo” and wait for a response.
6. BUBBLES – go 1,2,3 or inhale for 3 counts and blow dramatically onto the baby before blowing the bubbles. Sing a song about bubbles. Catch the bubbles on the wand for baby to pop and wait for baby to indicate they want more.
7. WATER PLAY- splash the water, drop objects in the water, pretend to drink from a cup or bottle while saying “gulp gulp gulp ahhh”
8. SING SONGS with actions or signs. Pause before key words and wait. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!For more ideas, please feel free to contact torontospeechtherapy@gmail.com.