MY GUIDE > Staying Home with Your Infant or Toddler

KEYWORDS: age 1 up to age 3homenewborn up to age 1tips and strategies

Right at home

We all want what is best for our children. For you and your child, that may mean staying home with your child versus a child care center. If so, you may decide to blend therapies into your daily routines. Or you may want to hold off on that for a while. But since you know your child better than anyone, you can teach her at home using real-life experiences to help her learn. Whether you are starting off on your own or have an army of help from family and community, there are some basic things you can do to make your interactions with your child more meaningful.

If you decide not to pursue Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services yet, you can request an ECI evaluation later whenever you are ready. 

Home-based activities and tips

  • Play! You are your child’s first playmate. Playing is your child’s work. It is how she learns about the world around her. 
  • Talk or sing to your child as you move about the house. If you are doing chores, bring your child into the same room and face her towards you. Talk about what you are doing. Children love to hear their parents’ voices. 
  • Create an environment that suits your child's needs and abilities. Encourage movement and exploration. Sit with your child and play together with toys of different sizes and textures.
  • Don’t be afraid to get messy. Sensory experiences are all around us. Use daily activities to promote your child’s sensory exploration.
  • Explore and discover. Check out 5 Great Home Engagement Ideas from the Region 13 ECSE video library. Videos are available in English and Spanish.
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