Object permanence is the understanding that an object exists even when we can’t see it. Knowing this helps a child learn that a symbol (word) can represent an object that is not present.

At Level Two, your child is starting to understand they can find a partially hidden object is still the object. (If you cover it completely, they will lose interest because it’s gone.)

Today’s activity: When you and your child are interacting with a toy, partially cover it with a blanket or other object. Ask, “Where’d it go?!” then slowly pull it from under the cover. “There it is!” Let your child take a turn.

Using a word consistently in a situation helps a child attach meaning to that word. Your child’s name is one of the first words they learn to recognize.

Today’s activity: Use your child’s name to get their attention and to greet them. This helps your child learn to recognize their name and know that you are paying attention to them and you want them to pay attention to you.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll track down someone for you!

Your child must hear speech clearly so they can learn to make the sounds of speech clearly. Many children get fluid in their middle ears (otitis media) that can stay for weeks or months.

Today’s activity: Stay aware of how consistently your child responds to sudden or unexpected sounds. Get your child’s hearing checked if you notice a change in their hearing.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll track down someone for you!

Language is the whole system we use for expressing our ideas, including sentences, words, grammar, sounds, intonation, etc. Speech (spoken words) is one modality we express language. Other modalities include sign language and picture symbols.

Level Two develops skills that are the foundation for language development. Your child is able to locate where sounds come from by turning to look. They are starting to turn to your voice and when you say their name.

Today’s activity: Hold a toy to the side and behind your child, make a sound with it and wait for your child to turn and look. If they don’t turn, move it to just within their field of view and make the noise again.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll track down someone for you!

Your child rolls over by lifting their legs in the air and then moving them to the side so they roll onto their side.

After your child starts raising their legs on their own, you can help your child get the feel for the rolling motion when you are playing in your face-to-face interactions.

You’ll see in later Levels that movement is important for helping a child be an independent learner.

Today’s activity: When your child has raised their legs into the air, gently roll them to their side using a playful sound then roll them back to their original position.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, send me an email and I’ll track down someone for you!

Your child can learn the opposite of a sit-up exercise, raising their feet up to their chin.

Movement skills are important for exploring to learn more about things around them. If you notice a delay in this area, seek advice from a licensed professional. A physical therapist works with large muscle movements (like arms, legs, back) and an occupational therapist works with fine motor movements (like hands) and sensory issues.

Today’s activity: During your face-to-face interactions, raise their feet to their chin and say. “beep!”

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, send me an email and I’ll track down someone for you!

Movement is important so your child can explore their surroundings and learn more about their world—so they have more to talk about!

At Level Two, you child spends a lot of time exercising their muscles. They’re building strength in their core muscles.

Today’s activity: Put a small rolled blanket under your child’s hips to slightly raise them. (Keep your child’s weight on their back and shoulders, not their neck.) Place a toy on their tummy, fastened between the snaps on their shirt.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to see the directory of speech-language pathologists licensed in your area. If you can’t find one in the directory, send me an email and I’ll track down someone for you!

Use child-safe toys that entice your child to try to reach them. When items are just out of reach, your child gets good exercise.

Encouraging your child to explore independently builds their initiation skills. As they explore, they they learn about things they want to communicate about.

Today’s activity: Put a small rolled blanket or pillow under your child’s chest. Their chest will be elevated about an inch, with their arms outstretched to reach toys on the floor.

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You’ll see your child’s skills at picking up and holding things as you play back and forth with a ball. At first they will pick it up and wave it. By the end of this level they will be swatting the ball on the floor and will easily pick it up.

Today’s activity: Use a ball in back-and-forth play. Model things to do with the ball: rolling, dropping, bouncing, sharing.

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When your child wants to accept a new toy from you, they’ll drop an object that’s already in their hand.

The activity for today is an example of how you can start a habit at an early level that will come in handy as a familiar routine to use at a later level.

Today’s activity: Offer an item to your child while you hold your other hand out to catch the item they are going to drop. It’s like you're trading objects.

Visit www.TheInteractionCoach.com to find more resources you can use to help your child develop speech, language and communication skills.