Nurturing Social Milestones: The Importance of Sharing Everyday Experiences with Your Child
By Shawna Fleming, BCBA
Sharing simple moments together
In the whirlwind of daily life, it's easy to overlook the significance of sharing simple moments with our children. Yet, these seemingly mundane interactions play a crucial role in their development. One such milestone is the ability to share in everyday events – whether it's hearing a sound and notifying someone about it, pointing out something new, or sharing a reaction together.
Children often instinctively notify adults when they encounter something out of the ordinary – like spotting an airplane soaring across the sky or a massive dump truck rumbling down the street. This act of sharing experiences fosters social connection and is also a vital safety skill.
The challenges some children face
For some neurodivergent children, however, this milestone may be more challenging to reach. For children who are hyper-aware of their surroundings but struggle with social interaction, they may notice changes in their environment but might not think to share those moments with others. Learning to share experiences is crucial for their social development and overall well-being.
Try this at home!
As parents, it's essential to carve out intentional moments in our busy schedules to slow down and invite our children into our world. Even dedicating just 5-10 minutes a day to this practice can make a significant difference. During these moments, we can engage our child's senses by pointing out the sights, sounds, and smells around us.
For instance, if we spot a vibrant patch of daffodils, we can draw our child's attention to them by saying, "Look, daffodils!" while pointing at the flowers. Similarly, if we hear a distant honking sound or catch a whiff of freshly baked bread, we can label the sound or smell and indicate the direction it's coming from or the body part that is experiencing the sensation.
Some simple activity ideas:
If your child is not yet accustomed to sharing experiences, we’ve got you covered with some simple activities you can do to help them develop this skill.
One such activity is playing Hide & Seek with familiar objects. Sit with your child on the floor and hide a preferred item under a blanket or in a bin. Encourage them by saying, "where is it?" with a puzzled expression. Allow them time to search for the item, and if needed, assist them in lifting the blanket. Once found, engage in play with the item together, repeating the activity if your child enjoys it.
You can also use toys like:
Learning Resources Hide-N-Go Moo or
Melissa & Doug Nesting and Sorting Barns and Animals
Finding the sound
Another fantastic activity to promote sharing experiences with your child is finding sounds within your environment. This activity not only engages their senses but also encourages collaboration and communication.
You can start small with this activity by sitting on the floor with your child, covering and uncovering a sound with a blanket. This simple game helps them understand the concept of locating sounds and encourages them to share their discoveries with you.
Next steps with noisy toys
As your child becomes more comfortable with the game, you can level up by introducing noisy toys or activating speakers around the house. Hide the source of the sound and encourage your child to find it with you. When you locate the sound, celebrate the moment together and share the excitement with another family member. This not only reinforces the joy of shared experiences but also strengthens family bonds.
Use this to foster connection and communicationi
Remember, the goal of these activities is not just to find the sound but to foster communication and connection between you and your child. By incorporating these simple yet engaging activities into your daily routine, you're not only helping your child develop essential social skills but also creating cherished moments that will last a lifetime.
You can use any toys you already own! Some of our favourite toys are:
Remember, if your child becomes disinterested or leaves the area, there's no pressure. You can always try the activity again later. The key is to create opportunities for shared experiences, fostering connection, communication, and social growth in your child.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, let's not forget the power of these seemingly small moments. By intentionally sharing our world with our children, we lay the foundation for meaningful social interactions and enriching relationships.
