Waves, Taps, and Claps
Here's What To Do
1
Choose a simple rhyme or rhyming song to say to your child.
2
Wave your hands, tap your child's body, or clap to emphasize the words that rhyme.
3
Repeat the rhyme a few times, encouraging your child to mimic your movements (you may have to gently guide their hands to do the movements).
4
Try the game with other rhymes.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Turn off any distractions and position yourself in front of your child at eye level or during tummy time
E
Engage:
- Be expressive and animated when waving, tapping, and clapping. Smile and match your child’s facial expressions.
- "Twinkle twinkle little star (clap), how I wonder what you are (clap)..."
E
Encourage:
- Gently help your child match your movements. Help them clap their hands, wave their arms, or tap their nose.
- If your child moves or vocalizes in reaction to the rhyme, match their sound or movement and say "Oh yes, 'star' and 'are' rhyme!"
R
Reflect:
- What other rhymes might we be able to play along with?
Not quite ready?
Even if it doesn't seem like your child understands, hearing rhyming words over and over will help them understand the sounds of language.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to do the movements on their own, and say the words they know out loud.
As your child masters this skill...
They will show an increased awareness of and interest in the sounds of spoken language by focusing on the speaker