Body Map
Parent asks child to point to named body parts, respond to cautions, and use words to ask for familiar things. Covers three language comprehension milestones at 12-18mo. Three phases: body part pointing, caution response, and requesting by name.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Normal play or mealtime setting. No special materials unless child is resistant to own-body pointing — then use a doll.
How it works
- 1~30s
Ask your child: 'Where's your nose?' — wait 5 seconds. Then 'Where's your tummy?' Then 'Where's your foot?' Don't point to your own nose first — test word-only comprehension. Does your child point to the correct body part, or look confused? Try 3 parts. Tell me each one.
Watch for: Child points to named body parts
- 2~20s
Wait for a moment when your child reaches for something they shouldn't have — or engineer one: put a cup near the edge of the table. Say your household caution word firmly: 'Hot!', 'No!', or 'Careful!' Does your child pause, stop, or pull back? Or continue regardless? Tell me what happens.
Watch for: Child pauses or stops action when cautioned
- 3~120s
Watch the next 2-3 minutes of normal interaction. Does your child ask for anything using a name? Not just pointing or reaching — but using a word or approximation: 'more', 'up', 'milk', 'ball', or any consistent sound meaning a specific thing. Tell me every example you hear.
Watch for: Child uses word or approximation to request familiar objects