What Parents Can Do
Social/Emotional
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Play games together that help children practice taking turns, negotiating rules, etc.
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Model how to share and cooperate with others
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“Think out loud” to show your child how YOU think
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Label your feelings and your child’s out loud: e.g., “You seem sad. What happened?”
Language and Communication
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Read to your child and read aloud together: Emphasize emotion, play with voices
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Use lots of words for day-to-day things you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch
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Instead of just watching TV, act out a favorite TV show
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Encourage pretend play and use your imagination together
Cognitive
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Let your child try to do things with you, rather than always doing it for them
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Talk aloud with your child about events or news to ask their opinion and to help memory-building
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Create and carry out a plan with your child to model problem-solving
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Try explaining things in a different way if your child doesn’t understand something you say
Physical
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Make sure your child gets healthy food and enough sleep (10-12 hours suggested for ages 3-8)
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Find local programs that include physical activities; if possible, go to a playground or park
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Use dough and clay to help your child practice squeezing, rolling, patting, etc.
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Model taking care of your health and body: “I have more energy when I snack on fruit than candy”
Adapted from MA Dept. of Early Education and Care
(mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/parent-and-family-support/)
