Is your little one still only making sounds like "ah-ah" at age two? This might not just be a case of delayed development. Many parents take their children to early intervention classes, but sometimes the results fall short of expectations. The real issue might be an insufficient frequency of therapy sessions. Experts stress that early intervention should be integrated into daily life and share five simple tips to help parents carry out early intervention training at home, leading to significant progress for their child.
Many children need early intervention, but attending therapy only two or three times a week may not be enough. Occupational therapist Du Wan-Ru highlights that the home environment is the primary setting for children’s activities, and if parents cannot guide their child at home, progress will naturally be limited. She emphasizes, "Therapy frequency is directly related to progress speed," and that children need daily practice to enhance their development. Parents don’t need to worry about their energy levels or special equipment; many daily chores and routine activities provide excellent learning opportunities.
5 Simple Tips to Make Early Intervention Fun and Effective!
- Incorporate Learning with Household Routines
Early intervention can happen anywhere. Speech therapist Peng Ling suggests that tasks like taking out the trash or tidying up items can be part of the learning process. Du Wan-Ru adds that identifying street numbers or bus numbers while walking outside can teach children to recognize numbers without needing special tools. - Encourage Participation in Household Chores, Starting Simple
Tasks like folding clothes and hanging socks provide great opportunities for learning cognition and developing fine motor skills. For example, ask children to find two matching or different colored items, or use clothespins to strengthen their small muscle endurance. Du Wan-Ru also notes that parents should learn the correct posture to guide children effectively. - Leverage Children’s Interests to Promote Eye Contact
For children who avoid eye contact, parents can use their child’s favorite foods to encourage interaction. By holding the food at eye level, children will naturally focus on it, establishing eye contact with parents. This is also an ideal opportunity to practice gestures or verbal expressions. - Bring Toys Outdoors and Record Play Moments
Activities like blowing bubbles and throwing balls help develop mouth muscles and large motor skills. Parents can capture these moments with a phone or camera and later revisit the experiences with their child to help them express their feelings. Since the photos feature them, it also boosts their willingness to communicate.
Limit Screen Time and Set Reasonable Boundaries
Modern families often rely on phones for childcare, which, although convenient, significantly impacts language development. Peng Ling recommends no screen exposure for children under two, and for children over two, limit it to 30 minutes daily. Parents should carefully select appropriate content and co-watch to enhance interaction, promoting healthier development.
Parents should avoid overprotecting children during home practice and instead encourage them to participate in household chores. This approach increases learning opportunities and promotes children's progress and growth. (Photo / Provided by Heho)
If you notice any developmental delays in your child, seek professional evaluation and therapy as soon as possible. Early intervention isn’t limited to clinic sessions; it’s a continuous practice at home. By engaging children in daily chores, they learn through doing, fostering rapid development and boosting their confidence and independence.
Original Source: Mama Baby
