When your child is interacting with other children in play or in an activity of discovery, you can try slowing down and noticing what might be happening for the child.  Tap into your own genuine curiosity, and gently join in with encouragement by showing them that what they are interested in is valuable to you.  

Take a pause and give time for your child to talk to you or show you.  Smile and make eye contact.  Try asking questions beginning with 'What..', 'How…', or 'What kind of...'.  At another time, talk again about  something they were curious about or revisit a place they enjoyed, even if it was “the corner of the yard by the rock”.  

Simple gestures can go a long way to show children the joy of being a person who is loved and learning about the world.

Play & Learn At Home
Here are some ways interaction strategies to make your child feel seen and valued:

Use non-verbal cues such as smiling and making eye contact to convey warmth and connection.

Pose questions that begin with 'What...', 'How...', or 'What kind of...'. Encourage them to share more about their experiences and thoughts.

Take a moment to breathe and provide time for your child to talk or show you something. Foster an environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves.

At a later time, discuss something your child was curious about. Revisit topics or activities they showed interest in previously.

Looking for more inspiration at home? We love these resources:

5 Steps for Brain Building
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return/

Serve and Return Interactions
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/guide/a-guide-to-serve-and-return-how-your-interaction-with-children-can-build-brains/#:~:text=You%20may%20have%20heard%20the,and%20reach%20their%20full%20potential.