Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Communication is any way we exchange a message or idea to another person. We can communicate with language, body movements, facial expressions.

Language uses symbols to represent objects or ideas (including icon, spoken word, written word, gesture, sign). Language also includes all the rules we use for combining words into sentences.

Speech is the use of our mouth to say words and sentences. This is just one way we can express our language.

Before a child starts to say words, they need to perceive other people using them over a period of time. For example, they need to hear people speaking, see people using sign language or see and hear people using a speech generating device.

Activities at this level focus on helping the child learn to tell when a sound is present (perceive the sound) and recognize where a sound is coming from (localize the sound).

Today’s activity: Say your child’s name when you’re off to the side, then move into their line of sight. Give enough time so the child has the opportunity to turn toward the sound.

Find more information and parent resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com.

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Leg movements and tummy muscles are important for rolling over. This activity helps your child feel the experience of raising their legs together into the air.

Your child needs these movement skills to explore and learn from the environment.

Today’s activity: Slowly raise child’s legs, bending at the waist until toes touch their chin. Say, “Beep!” and then lower the legs. Wait for a signal from the child that they want to continue (smile, wiggle, kick), then do it again.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Your child will develop arm strength during tummy time, and start to push up off the floor.

If your child has motor skill weaknesses, consult with your physical therapist and ask about ways your exercise can incorporate more social interaction.

Today’s activity: Slowly roll your child from their back to tummy. For example, just before you start dressing or changing diaper, roll child slowly onto tummy then roll back again.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Tummy time continues to be important at this level to strengthen the muscles your child needs for raising their head and the later skills of rolling over and sitting.

Today’s activity: Give short, frequent opportunities to be on their tummy. Spend some time sharing the experience and interacting with your child while on your tummies.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

The ceiling is several feet away but it’s easy for your child to notice a light shining on the ceiling in a darkened room. A nightlight that projects on the ceiling or a flashlight works well for this activity.

Today’s activity: Lay your child on their back in a darkened room. Move a light slowly on the ceiling while you sing or talk to your child.

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

When your child is a little older, they start to anticipate things that will happen in the future. Learning to anticipate outcomes starts at this level by learning to recognize an object that’s approaching and associating the object with a result.

Today’s activity: When you are bring a bottle or food to your child, call attention to it (“here it comes”) and move it slowly toward your child. Take enough time so the child can focus on it and track its movement.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Watching an object as it slowly comes closer is naturally interesting to your child. Children tend to show extra interest in unfamiliar objects. Keep it interesting and interactive by adding your voice, a tickle or new object.

Today’s activity: While dressing, hold an item over your head and slowly bring it toward your child to tickle their face, chin or tummy.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Mobiles are fun for little ones to watch and good exercise for their eyes. Think of ways you can also spend some time interacting with your child while you both look at the mobile (joint attention!)

Today’s activity: Talk and reach toward a mobile while you and your child are lying side by side.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Eye tracking is when your child moves their eyes to follow the movement of something interesting. It’s important for play development because we don’t want your child to lose interest in something just because it moves out of sight.

Today’s activity: Hold an object about 10-12 inches from child’s face. Slowly move it back and forth, up and down, and in a slow circle.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com 

Send your questions to [email protected].

Download the list of Level One Targets and Activities.

Your child will begin to show interest by waving their arms (and legs). With practice, your child learns to direct their arm movement toward the object. Later this practice will help them learn to reach directly for an object.

Today’s activity: Dangle a sock or interesting object in front of child’s face to get their attention. Tickle their hand with it and dangle it again.

Find more resources at www.TheInteractionCoach.com.