This week, let’s focus on back-and-forth interactions. Pick something you already do every day—playing, singing, getting dressed, or making silly sounds—and try this: Do something → pause → give your baby a chance to respond → respond back. Your baby might respond by: - 👀 Looking at you - 😊 Smiling - 🗣️ Making a sound - 👋 Moving their arms or body - 🤭 Laughing - 🔄 Copying what you did - 🎵 Making a sound back when you sing Then respond to their response and keep the interaction going. For example: You make a silly sound → pause → baby babbles → you imitate their sound → pause again. You’re teaching them that “I do something, you do something, and then I get a turn again.” This week, watch for: Does your baby start looking to you for another turn? Do they make more sounds when you pause? Do they try to copy you? Do they start initiating the interaction themselves? These early back-and-forth interactions are an important foundation for later communication. 💬 At the end of the week, share one little back-and-forth moment you noticed!

Happy Friday! I’m planning our next live Q&A calls and want to make sure they’re as helpful as possible. Which topic would you most want a deep dive on? Have another topic in mind? Drop it in the comments! I’ll use your suggestions to plan upcoming live calls and trainings so they’re focused on what you need most.

This week, pick ONE mealtime strategy and use it every day. Don't worry about doing everything. Just focus on one small change and see what happens. Choose one: 🥄 Offer choices. Instead of handing your child a food, hold up two options and let them choose. They can point, look, reach, sign, or use words. 🍓 Model the food name before giving it. Before you hand them a bite, say the word naturally: "Banana!" ...pause... then give it. Don't require them to respond, just increase modeling. 🥕 Talk about what they're eating. Describe the food using simple words: - Crunchy - Cold - Sweet - Soft - Big - Little - Yellow - Round The more your child hears words connected to what they're experiencing, the more meaningful those words become. This week, watch for: - Does your child pay more attention when you pause before giving the food? - Do they look between you and the food? - Do they gesture, point, or vocalize to request more? - Do they seem interested when you label or describe the food? - Do they begin recognizing familiar words or routines? Remember: communication grows through hundreds of small, meaningful interactions. 👇 Share below: Which strategy did you try, and what did you notice by the end of the week?

Does your child know words... but only use them once in a while? It can be so frustrating when you know they can say a word, but they don't use it consistently throughout the day. One thing to remember: if we're always jumping in to help or moving too quickly, we may not be giving them enough opportunities to use the words they already know. 3 Tips: ✨ Create simple communication opportunities throughout the day (instead of giving everything right away). ✨ Pause a little longer before responding or handing something over. ✨ Wait expectantly instead of anticipating every need. These small changes create natural reasons for your child to communicate—and give them the time they need to use the words they already know. 🎥 Watch today's video for examples of what this looks like, then come back and let us know: what's one word you're hoping to hear more consistently this week?

Hello All, I hope everyone is having a relaxing summer! I am making a small change to the community. Starting today, all group calls will be available to all members. The goal of this community is to make people feel supported as they navigate parenthood and I would love for all members to have this live call as a resource. I hope to see everyone in the upcoming weeks! Sam