Bring the Language of Feelings into my play.

Pro-tip: Most of a young DHH child's day should be spent in play.

A young child’s very best learning and growing happen in the context of play. The opportunities to include language–particularly the Language of Feeling–in play are endless!

  • Just think of how many emotions we  show as we pretend to cook, stack blocks into a tower, care for baby dolls and stuffed animals, blow bubbles, pretend, do puzzles, draw and color, and have a playground adventure. Sign and talk with me about my feelings as we play together.
  • Strike a balance in my daily play experiences.
    • Playing alone, playing with you, and playing with friends (with your support as needed) are all critical for my brain and body development.
    • Playing with toys, with household objects, in a variety of outdoor spaces, in every room of our home, in the homes of caregivers and friends, at the library, and in childcare settings expands my curiosity and knowledge.
  • Play gives me many opportunities to think deeply, solve problems, and navigate social connections. Facing appropriate-for-me challenges in play gives me practice using the Language of Feelings. It also grows my emotional self-regulation.
  • Stress can limit my capacity to learn well. Play–and any sort of enjoyment, truly–reduces felt stress. When I feel relaxed, I can engage more fully and acquire language more effectively.

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