Here's What To Do
1
Collect a few sound-making objects to play a "Did You Hear That?" game. Examples:
- rattles
- bells or keys
- squeaky toys
- blocks (knock them together)
- your hands (snap or clap!)
2
Hold a sound-maker 1-2 feet away from one side of my head, where I can't see it. Make the sound 2-3 times and pause to watch my response.
3
Repeat with different sound-makers and hold them in different positions (to the left, right, above and below my eyes.)
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Smile at me before we begin.
E
Engage:
- Make a noise with the sound-maker, but don't talk to me while you do it. This helps me focus on the sound-maker instead of your voice.
- Try playing this game with my body in different positions like lying on my back, sitting in your lap, or laying on my tummy.
E
Encourage:
- If I don't try to look for the source of the sound, tap the side of my cheek closest to the sound, then repeat it. Or, slowly move the sound maker to the place I'm looking.
- When I look to the spot the sound is coming from, celebrate! Like: "You found the rattle, here it is!"
R
Reflect:
- Do I seem to be able to locate which direction sounds are coming from? Do I like some sounds more than others?
Not quite ready?
Help me make eye contact with a sound-maker. Make a sound with it while slowly moving it from left to right, and see if my eyes will follow the object.
Ready for more?
If I can locate sounds to the right and left, see if I can find a sound coming from below. Place me in my high chair, then make sounds towards the ground or behind me.
As your child masters this skill...
They will move their eyes in the correct direction a sound is coming from.