Making You Smile
Here's What To Do
1
I'm learning that some things I do can bring attention, smiles, and laughter from others.
2
Give me positive reinforcement when I:
- Give a person or a toy a kiss
- Stack blocks, or drop them in a bin
- Imitate you or have a "conversation" with you
- Make silly sounds
- Dance or move to music
- Wave bye-bye
3
Some great ways to give me positive attention:
- Smiling and laughing
- Hugs and kisses
- Copying my sounds or actions
- Words of affirmation
4
If I do something funny, but it's not a behavior you want me to repeat, do your best not to laugh. It can be so tough, but if I see that you think it's funny, I'm likely to do it again (and again).
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Try to pause and encourage my positive actions, even if you're in the middle of something.
E
Engage:
- Copy my sounds or actions to let me know that you approve of what I'm doing!
- Match my facial expressions to let me know that you're paying attention to me.
E
Encourage:
- Give me words of affirmation, like: Look at how you dance!"
- Tell others what you like about what I’m doing: "Dada, come here! You have to see how nicely Mateo is kissing his stuffies good night!"
R
Reflect:
- Can you think of a recent time when you gave me positive reinforcement, and I continued doing the behavior over and over?
As your child grows...
They will begin to repeat behaviors after you give them positive attention for those behaviors.