Bath time! It’s one of the first routines we engage our babies in. Even when they are tiny, we teach our young children a lot during this regular routine. Babies are learning about how different textures feel-the water temperature, the feel of the wash cloth, what soap feels like. Some babies love the water, some do not. Talking them through the process of bath time can engage them to learn and distract them if they feel distress. Incorporate some singing during the routine and it will help ease not only your child’s stress but your own as well! Explain what is happening when they are little, ask them questions as they get older about the process. For example, “We turn the water on”, “Brrrr it’s cold!”, “Let’s make it nice and warm.”, “We get some soap for the washcloth and scrub your belly, your arms, now your…..”. Keep going as you name each body part. When they are older, play a game and ask them “Where’s your nose?”, “Where’s Mommy’s nose?”, “Beep, there it is!”. This is a good way to learn body parts. Not only are they in the tub and it’s a little more difficult to move to another activity, but the acoustics in the bathtub are beneficial for children to learn speech and language. Talk about the toys they may play with by labeling them and describing what the toy is doing. This is also a good time to give choices as they play and take turns with the toys with you. For example, “Do you want the boat or the duck?”. Wait for your child to either use the word to ask for it or gesture toward the choice. If you can, hold the toy close to your mouth as you model the word and cue them to try to imitate it. Also, make sounds while playing or even silly faces for your child to eventually imitate. Receptive language skills can also be built during this routine. Provide them simple directions during play, such “Give Daddy the duck please”, or “Put the boat in the water”. The bathtub provides a great opportunity to have fun while your baby learns to communicate with you!
Sounds/words to include: water, soap, washcloth, towel, bubbles, on, off, hot, cold, wet, dry, in, out, splash, plop, dump, pop, names of body parts, names of toys, etc.