Posts by Viviana Mecinas

Click to Download PDF Version Join in your child’s play, make discoveries together, let him direct you, observe his communication and listen to his ideas. Respond to your baby’s babbling, describe as your toddler reacts to what he hears and sees, or add words to a preschooler’s activities. As you “follow their lead” you encourage…

Click to Download PDF Version Observe your child’s interests. Give encouraging expectant looks for him to interact. Listen closely to what your child says. Stop in mid-song for a baby to react. Allow a toddler time to think of ideas. Pause for a preschooler to initiate conversations. By offering wait time, you help children be…

Click to Download PDF Version Include simple choices during play, reading, activities, or routines. Be ready to agree with whatever your child picks. Provide items your baby seems to want. Talk about what your toddler selects. Discuss your preschooler’s decisions. By offering choices you guide children to listen to options, communicate their preferences, and feel…

Click to Download PDF Version Enjoy vocal play often with your baby to promote babbling and interacting. Explore sound with your toddler for listening during play. Encourage your preschooler to discover meaning in sounds. Talk, sing and read to include listening and language throughout each day. Observe your child’s behaviors to be able to describe…

Click to Download PDF Version Play on the floor, sing on a bed, read in a chair, talk at the table and communicate everywhere. Hold your baby, bend down near your toddler or sit next to your preschooler to be at ear and eye level. Getting on their physical level promotes shared attention, frequent interactions…

Click to Download PDF Version Sing songs with repetitive lyrics. Choose fun books with recurring phrases. Join a child in favorite activities again and again. Imitate your baby as you play together. Pause for your toddler to add repeating words. Listen to a preschooler retell a story. When you enjoy repetition you help children listen…

Click to Download PDF Version Chat with your child and comment on what he says. Avoid multiple yes/no questions. Offer other possibilities to consider to extend conversations. Create turn taking in a baby’s play. Prompt your toddler to problem solve. Expect a preschooler to discuss his thinking. When you encourage more words you guide children…

Click to Download PDF Version Plan to consistently provide your child with access to two complete languages. Offer meaningful, separate experiences in each language. Sing to a baby. Chatter with a toddler. Read with a preschooler. Converse in each language fully, frequently and purposefully. Guiding children in dual language learning can strengthen family connections, promote…

Click to Download PDF Version Duration is short or long (stop or go-ooooo). Intensity is soft or loud (whisper or yell). Pitch is high or low (chirp or growl) Use DIP to babble with a baby. Use DIP to rhyme with your toddler. Use DIP for different voices in a story with a preschooler. When…

Click to Download PDF Version Be aware of the noise level in your child’s surroundings, notice when he responds more easily, and choose places where you can hear each other clearly. Position your baby where sound seems comfortable, reduce background noise in your toddler’s play, or move to a quieter setting to talk to a…