Embracing the Quiet

As parents we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We can feel solely responsible for so many parts of our child’s development... are they sleeping enough? How’s their weight? Are they eating the right foods? Are they well behaved and treating others well? Are they on track with motor skills? Are they talking enough?!!

With all that we feel we have to DO, we sometimes forget to take a step back and just breathe. As a speech language pathologist I find myself trying to work language into EVERYTHING. I have to remind myself to take time to sit in the quiet, however rarely it comes. 😜

We don’t have to fill every space with talk. There can be down-time in interaction. If your child or baby is playing quietly and intently focused on a task, it’s okay to just watch.

To not jump in.

To let them explore.

It’s important to remember that their little brains are developing so much more than language. They are learning perceptual skills, balance, cause and effect, fine motor skills, how to isolate their fingers, how to persevere through a difficult task. Quiet play is also good! ☁️

As in many things in life, it’s all about balance, as well as reading the situations.

Are they building a tower? slowly, quietly, carefully? Maybe not the best time to jump in and fill the air with language and pepper them with questions. Their little brain is learning important skills. 🤫

Maybe they are rolling a ball side to side, babbling, looking up at you... a great time to start a back and forth ball-rolling game teaching turn-taking and building in some basic nouns and verbs: roll, ball, my turn, bounce, big/small. You could even work on saying “ready set GO!”🥳

If your child plays quietly most of the time- you may need to jump in a little more. Find the balance that works for you and your home 💛🏠