Growth & Skill Development
Socializing your baby
Your baby may not yet be a skilled conversationalist but that shouldn’t stop her from enjoying social activities. To explore the world with your baby, try these ideas:
Join a parent-child playgroup
You’ll enlarge both your social circles, and you might even pick up some great tips from other parents in the group. Your baby will enjoy watching other children’s antics and joining in some side-by-side games.
Expose your child to a variety of settings
Take your tot with you to the grocery store, a pet store, or the park. New settings and unfamiliar faces will stimulate your child, increasing brain power.
Teach basic social skills
Knowing how to wave or say "bye-bye" gives your child the opportunity to be part of a large community. Your baby will learn quickly that her smiles, gestures, and words have a positive impact on others, who return the attention with smiles or words of their own.
Social skills at home
Even without venturing out, you can add to your child’s social experiences by:
- Making conversation. As you go about your daily routines, get into the habit of offering a running commentary about what you’re doing. Baby’s babbles are her way of keeping the conversation going.
- Playing games in the mirror. By watching a mirror, your baby learns to interpret facial expressions. For instance she’ll learn that a smile means happiness and a frown indicates displeasure. Matching her moods to expressions teaches her to be alert to body language, a skill that’s important when she begins to mingle with others.
- Letting play lead the way. When playing, use language that helps your child learn about sharing, taking turns, and other social niceties. "It’s my turn to put the block on top. Now it’s your turn." This type of interchange lets your child know that when she briefly gives up an item, it comes back at the next turn—a powerful message that makes future friendships much easier.
Use stand-ins, such as dolls and stuffed animals, to encourage gentleness and empathy. The child who can lovingly cuddle a make-believe friend is on the way to knowing how to interact with other children.
