This week, your goal is to introduce just one new sign to your child. ✅ Step 1: Pick your sign Choose something your child is highly motivated by Examples: - more - eat - help - go - all done ✅ Step 2: Model + say the word Every time you use the word, pair it with the sign 👉 Say: “more” + do the sign 👉 Say: “eat” + do the sign No pressure for your child to copy yet. ✅ Step 3: Use repetition Repeat it during the same routine over and over - snack time → “more” - bubbles → “more” - tickles → “more” Repetition builds understanding. ✅ Step 4: Pause + wait After modeling, pause and look expectantly Give your child a chance to respond (even a small attempt counts) ✅ Step 5: Celebrate ANY attempt - a movement - a reach - a look - a partial sign It all counts. Respond like they communicated. 🎯 Your goal this week: Use your chosen sign at least 5 times a day in real routines 💡 Reminder: You are not “testing," you're showing them how communication works. 🎥 Want extra support? Inside the classroom video library, there’s: - a step-by-step video on how to teach a sign - a video breaking down 10 great first signs to introduce If you’re not sure where to start or want to see this modeled in real life, that’s a great place to go next.

Hey parents! This week we're focusing on imitation which is a super important pre-linguistic skill for building communication. Why imitation matters: Imitation teaches your baby that actions and sounds can be copied and shared. It's the foundation for learning words, gestures, and eventually conversation. Plus, when YOU imitate your baby, you show them that what they do matters and has an effect on others. Your challenge this week: 1. Imitate your baby (at least 3x per day) - When they make a sound, make it back - When they bang a toy, you bang one too - When they clap or wave, copy them immediately - Watch their reaction - do they repeat it? Look at you? Smile? 2. Give them something worth copying - Make exaggerated facial expressions (stick your tongue out, open your mouth wide) - Do simple actions: clap, wave, tap the table, cover your face - Make silly sounds and pause to see if they'll try - Keep it playful, not pressure-filled 3. Share your wins! Post in the comments: - What did your baby imitate this week? - What surprised you? - Did imitating THEM back change the interaction? Remember: Imitation isn't about getting your baby to perform on command. It's about creating a playful back-and-forth where they learn that copying is fun and connection happens through shared actions.

This week, try incorporating something simple: pause and wait. It’s natural to fill silence or move quickly through routines. But communication, especially when your child has difficulty communicating, requires space. When you pause, you give your child: - time to process - time to initiate - time to try Many first attempts happen in the pause — not during the prompt. How to Practice This Week Try pausing during: - Play (hold the toy… wait) - Snacks (open the container… wait) - Songs (pause before the next line) - Choices (offer two options… wait) - Talking (model the word... wait) After you pause: - Look expectant but relaxed - Count silently to 5 - Resist filling the silence You might notice a sound, gesture, or eye contact. That counts as communication! The goal isn’t to “get a word.” The goal is to create space for communication. If you try this, share what you notice in the comments.

This week inside the classroom, we’re focusing on something simple that creates BIG language growth: Giving choices. Why? Because choices: - Increase communication attempts - Reduce frustration - Build independence - Strengthen expressive language When we ask open-ended questions like, “What do you want?” Some kids freeze. But when we say: “Do you want crackers or apple?” Now we’ve: - Reduced the cognitive load - Modeled language - Created a clear communication opportunity Choices give structure. Structure builds confidence. Confidence builds language. 🗓️ The 3-Day Choice Challenge Day 1: Snack Choices Offer 2 real options at snack time. Model the words clearly: “blueberries or apple?” If your child doesn’t respond verbally, accept: - Pointing - Looking - Reaching - AAC use - Approximate words Day 2: Activity Choices Instead of choosing for them, try:“blocks or cars?” "play or read?” Pause. Wait. Give processing time. Day 3: Silly Choices Boost engagement with playful options:“Walk or jump to the table?” “Big bite or little bite?” When giving choices with action words, incorporate gestures or movement! Fun increases engagement, which increases communication. *Expanding choices: If your child says “cars,” expand it:“Red car or blue car?” “Fast car or slow car?” 🚨 Important Reminders - Keep it to 2 choices at first - Make both options acceptable - Model the words clearly - Pause and WAIT (longer than you think) - Celebrate all communication attempts (e.g., reaching, pointing, vocalizing)

Your goal this week: Choose one verbal routine and use it every day during natural play or daily routines with your child. Choose one: - Ready… Set… Go - Uh-oh - All done - Up, up, up - My turn / your turn - [Choose your own] You don’t need to rotate. Repetition is the key. How to do it: - Use the routine at least once a day - Say the same words the same way each time - Pause and wait before the final word when it makes sense (e.g., "Ready, set... GO") - Accept any response: a look, a sound, a gesture, or a word What to watch for: You might notice your child: - Looking at you expectantly - Smiling or moving their body - Making a sound - Attempting the word All of these count. Reminder: Language grows through predictable, repeated language.