02/21/2024
Imitation is the foundation of language development🔑
Before a child can begin to imitate sounds and words, they have to be able to imitate actions and gestures (waving, clapping, stomping, blowing kisses, etc). AND they have to be motivated to imitate!
I have personally found yoga to be an amazing way to increase nonverbal and verbal imitation skills for babies and toddlers. Here are a few tips I use in my sessions:
🌟Repetitive songs: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs are my favorite when working on imitation because they are repetitive, engaging and usually incorporate motor skills and actions. Depending on the level of the child, you can model gestures, actions, or words while in a yoga pose. Repetition and routine is KEY! If you find yourself singing the same song over and over again that means it’s working!
Example: Sing “Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star” while standing or dancing in star pose. Add little movements or gestures (pointing, clapping, waving) to keep kids engaged. Try to repeat the same exact routine each time you do it!
🌟Model communicative gestures and actions: Gestures and nonverbal language are prerequisites for verbal speech. Wave to the sun while doing sun salutations, stomp or march like the child’s favorite animal, blow kisses or bubbles. Use your imagination!
🌟Use Exclamatory Words or “silly” words: These are simple, funny and motivating words that naturally come up in play. “Whoosh, zoom, uh-oh, boom, beep, ew” and animal noises are a few favorites. When you exaggerate these words, kids become even more motivated to imitate them!
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