48 c o m m u n i c a t i o n
ACTIVITIES
The activities below are divided into 2 sections:
• activities to use before your baby can talk, and
• more activities to use when your child begins talking.
If your child can see a little, be sure to adapt these activities to make the
best use of his remaining sight (see Chapter 4).
Communicating before your child can talk
Taking turns
Taking turns with your baby means (1) sending him a message or
responding to messages he is sending you, and (2) trying to keep the
give-and-take between you going.
Every time you take turns with your baby something different might
happen. But here are some general guidelines that may help make
taking turns work well:
1. To begin, let your baby know you are near and ready to play.
2. Let your baby take his turn first, so that he gives you a clue about
what he wants to do. But if you have to wait a long time, go ahead
and begin yourself.
3. When your baby responds in any way, consider
that as his turn and respond to it. This way he
knows you noticed his action and liked it. If he
does not respond, try helping him with
a ‘prompt,’ like a touch on his arm, to
remind him it is his turn. It may also
help to use activities that involve give-
and-take, like rolling a ball back and
forth between you.
Do you want
to play more,
Juan?
4. When you take a turn, try to take the
same amount of time as your baby took
for his turn.
5. Allow your baby to stop whenever he
wants. Most games of taking turns last
only a minute or two because babies can
pay attention only for a short time.
helping children who are blind