Toy Greetings and Goodbyes
Parent models simple social gestures (kissing, waving) with baby's favorite toys, encouraging baby to imitate and communicate through movement. The agent coaches the parent to observe baby's gesture imitation, intentional communication attempts, and physical coordination during this playful language activity.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and baby sitting facing each other on floor or soft surface. 2-3 favorite toys within reach. Baby should be alert and engaged. No other materials needed.
How it works
- 1~30s
Pick up one of your child's favorite toys — maybe a stuffed animal or doll. Bring it close to your face and say 'Here's a kiss for Mr. Bear!' while making an exaggerated kissing sound. Then gently kiss the toy. Now hold the toy out toward your child and say 'Can you give them a kiss?' Watch closely — does your child lean forward, make a kissing face, or try to bring the toy to their mouth? Even an attempt counts! Tell me what you see.
Watch for: Baby attempts to imitate the kissing gesture — leaning forward, puckering lips, or bringing toy toward face.
- 2~35s
Now let's try waving goodbye. Hold the toy and say 'Bye bye, Mr. Bear!' while making an exaggerated waving motion with the toy's arm or your own hand. Then place the toy down a short distance away and wave at it yourself. Encourage your child by saying 'Say bye bye!' Watch their hands — does your child try to wave back? Even a small hand movement or opening and closing fingers counts as an attempt.
Watch for: Baby uses gestures intentionally to communicate — waving to signal goodbye, reaching to request, or pointing to indicate interest.
- 3~40s
Let's bring in another toy. Place two toys slightly out of your child's reach — maybe a foot away. Point to one and say 'Do you want this one?' Watch how your child responds. Does they reach toward a specific toy? Does they coordinate their arm movement to get what they wants? We're looking for intentional reaching that shows your child is communicating a preference through physical action.
Watch for: Baby coordinates arm and hand movements to reach for desired objects with intention and control.