Building Meaningful Family Relationships Virtually
Here are some tips and tricks for keeping children's attention on skype
MOTIVATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Things are going to get a lot better! Your child will interact more and you will have learned routines to expand upon. It is key to keep repeating new routines that work. Many won't, keep trying new things.
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You will get to hear words, your child will interact with you so much more. If you have made it here keep on keeping on.
Key as always: focus on your child. It gets easier here when they start to smile, giggle and do so many amazing things you simply would not want to miss. For example you will see some of their first steps and monumental developmental advances.
Near the middle of this phase they will recognize you in a way that may make you cry. However, that doesn't mean it's easy and other factors may make you want to give up. It's normal and ok -- you get to know that your child loves you now and there is no taking that back!
They will start to show their love and how all your hard work is paying off.
Simply put this is the year of continuous progress and connection. They will recognize you, feel comfortable with you and want your attention in REAL LIFE by the end of this stage. Hang in there it is going to get easier!
13 months
13 mo: A key here is sticking to the 'I love you routine' and mixing it up a bunch. 'If you're happy and you know it' is easily recognized and played along at this stage -- a great go to. 'Twinkle twinkle' and other songs will also be entertaining. More advanced facial movements and sounds are appreciated now, such as clapping cheeks and mouth becomes more interesting than burbling.
14 months
14 mo: The eyes become a favorite focus. Googly eyes, cross-eyed, sunglass on, off quickly help with as they now want dynamics in recognition. Previous hand movements can now turn into other games. For example, hands on the head turned into messy hair -- a deeper level of mimicking is occurring now. Moving from far to near is entertaining to the toddler along with noises that fit the movement. It's essentially about starting to get more dynamic on the same fronts that have been established -- mix it up, but keep it familiar and focus on eyes!
15 months
15 mo: Mimicking is starting to become of interest. Putting a commonly used teddy bear (crazy beaver is one I kept using routinely) on top of head and have it fall down. They can mimic this with an empty bowl, food etc. Also interactive activities like 'high-five' come into play. Now they are starting to integrate your entire face. So funny movements of entire face are now more of interest -- to see the dynamics of your face.
16 months
16 mo: So much more is starting to happen in the interactivity zone. Mimicking new sounds like a refreshing "ahhhh" after drinking milk or seeing food. What is really cool is finding a treat they like (something that crinkles helps get their attention) we used fruit gummies. He not only loves to see it open, but will pretend to eat them -- imagination is starting to ramp up! This fruit snack game lasts a long time and starts to become fun around now -- also you will probably be being called Dada or your affectioniate name -- it's so wonderful hearing them say your name :)!
17 months
17 mo: Mr and Mrs Potato Head! Much more conversational and interactive -- nodding head to answer questions. They love interacting with Mr and Mrs potato head. This is also a great way to introduce a new partner as Mr or Mrs. Potato head. Very interactive with all objects. The big difference around now is that they understand a lot of what you are saying! They are just on the verge of responding. I am a little tea pot is a fun song to sing with an actual tea pot. But really nothing beats Mr and Mrs Potato head! They will want to have the same toys as you -- so when one sticks send a duplicate to them!
18 months
18 mo: Mimicking is one of their favorite games at this point. We used monkey face and he will get into it and really try and make the same faces I make. Teddy Ruxpin becomes more interesting than standard teddy bear (they come back soon though once they have a cartoon reference). Popup books can really grip interest. If you repeat the same books in a few months they will remember the answers to what is behind the flowers etc ... they are soaking everything.
19 months
19 mo: The interactivity is now becoming two sided, less mimicking and more yes and no of things they do and don't want to play. Having routines for months really helps them decide what game or toy they want to play with. Don't worry if a toy doesn't seem interesting, there is a lot of changing of the mind at this stage :) Jack in the box becomes a fun game going faster and slower -- they will try and indicate the speed or how many times they want you to repeat. You can also start introducing family members of similar age and they will play across skype while you chaperone the games.
20 months
20 mo: Puuuush becomes a really fun interactive game. You are empowering your child to dictate their play. Obviously this game becomes outdated once they learn what a push is (we stopped a ~6months later, but when he visited he still wanted to play). It's more the sound they think is blowing you to move backward etc. Near and far is starting to become interesting addition to typical routines (animals and their noises, crazy beaver etc - not Mr Potato head :). Around this time I brought in pringles -- opening the can and eating them is really interesting. Similar to sharing the fruit snacks previously. Keeping a short routine of books is great as they will be so familiar they will start to pick and choose -- again frequent changes of mind :)
21 months
21 mo: Now the skypes are starting to happen while he is walking !! So many Dada's by now. They love showing you everything they can do -- so it's good to watch and cheer them on. Puuuush is still getting more and more fun in the mix. Cup games are still going strong for another 4-5 months. Best if you have the same cups and crazy beaver always knocks them down becomes a routine. Juggling is also really fun for them. It stays for a long time and he will still command me to juggle over a year later. They are really wanting to interact with you and hear your encouragement!
22 months
22 mo: Just before our first visit in person going through all the usual routines. Starting to ask more questions that he can answer. He loves to interact and feel that he is involved. Push can now be used for other task. Book routine continues and these books last another 8 months and he will ask for different people to drive the spaceship! At this stage they really know what they want to do and some routines get interupted -- it's great to just improvise and play along with them. Things are really going to get even more dynamic and interactive soon!
23 months
23 mo: Letter, number and color games. The past month was spent introducing letters and numbers on a white board -- he caught on quick -- can mix colors in as well. They love to play along with you and hearing your encouragement is key. Reading a book at the end is becoming routine which helps the odds of getting him to pay attention to the book. Took awhile so sometimes you just have to keep up with routines. Interactive running near and far is also a new fun game.
24 months
24mo: Lots more numbers, letters and colors. Having funny ways of saying yellow is entertaining. Magnets are really becoming a hit and will last past 3. Routine animals (crazy beaver) become more and more interactive. Important aspect with routine teddy bear is cuddling and way to show mutual affection at this stage. Magnet fish with magnet pole is a real hit and still being used past 3 yo. Finally, everything monster truck is catching his attention, toys and books.