How to Interact with Children

Communicate through touch or cuddling. Infants and toddlers (children under the age of 3) may be unable to speak to you, but this doesn’t stop them from communicating. Most communication will be done through direct touch. Whenever you notice a baby or toddler crying or yelling, try holding or cuddling them to reassure them. Soft and small gestures work very effectively. If it doesn’t, try using a reassuring  tone of voice and more cuddles and hugs than small gestures.

• Babies will learn through their sense of touch, what they see and what they hear. Use sensorial play, meaning you should invite them to touch objects with you, which helps them learn. A very young infant learns something the second they see or feel it. For example, once they see black on red, or feel the texture of paper, that seed has been planted. Encourage them and help them to understand new things.
• Always make sure to speak softly, use a positive tone of voice, and move gently when holding or interacting with an infant or toddler.
• Allow the baby or toddler to be the one to initiate contact with you. Invite the child to hold your hand, take a toy from you, or ask them for a hug. You can also greet them with a smile, and by saying, “Hello!” They can recognize their name, so be sure to use it!
• Infants and toddlers might not like when someone they don’t know well holds them. If the baby starts crying or gets uncomfortable, try handing them back to someone they are familiar with. A good recommendation  is introducing the person to the baby through things like direct touch and letting the person talk to them.

Keep an eye on your tone and body language. Babies will be highly receptive to both your tone and your body language. If you are acting nervous, impatient, or tense, the baby will likely pick up on that and feel uncomfortable. Always make sure you are moving or speaking in a calm and gentle manner when interacting with a toddler. Younger children also tend to lose control and feel scared when you raise your tone. Instead of saying “No, James!” Try small, but strict words with an only slightly warning tone of voice. “No, no, James. Will you please…”

• Your feelings may affect your body language and tone. Make sure you’re in a calm, collected and reassuring mood when holding or speaking to a toddler.
• Don’t shout or use sharp tones near a baby or toddler.

Try talking, even if the child doesn’t understand. It doesn’t matter if a child can understand the words you are saying to them. Speaking to a baby is a great way for them to begin associating emotions with words and sounds. Go ahead and talk with a baby or toddler, either in the simple noises they make or regular speech to help them feel comfortable. When they learn new words, encourage them to repeat them and explain the meaning of them slowly but briefly , just to get the point clear.

Play some simple games. Toddlers will be full of energy and playing a simple game with them can be a great way to interact with you. There are many basic games that you can play with a toddler to help keep them engaged and entertained. Try playing some of these games with toddlers to make your time together a lot of fun

• Try playing games that repeat sounds or words. Reciting a simple nursery rhyme is also a good idea.
• You could both sit on the floor and roll a ball to one another.
• Build something together with blocks. If the child isn’t building and rather demolishing block towers, it’s okay! They are learning. There isn’t much point in saying “No, look how Mommy does it, James.” because they will continue with what they understand better how to do. By the age two, they will have learned to build, but who doesn’t love to demolish? They will still have that vibe.

Get imaginative by playing with dolls or stuffed animals. Use easy, simple words when saying dialogue . This is extremely helpful in getting them to understand. It is Really simple and easy to interact with Children