Following Your Child's Lead

One of the great things about Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is the dedicated time set aside for parents to spend time participating in fun activities with their child. Parent-child interaction time typically allows parents to spend time one-on-one with their child participating in age appropriate activities. Parents and kids love this time together whether they spend it making art projects, playing in the sensory bin, in the play kitchen or so many more activities. One of the tenets of this time is that parents are encouraged to follow their child's lead. So what exactly does this mean? Why is this important? And what does it look like to follow your child's lead?

Simply put, following your child's lead means giving your child the opportunity to lead the interaction whether this through conversation or play. The child chooses what they want to do and the parent joins in the activity the child is doing. It isn't uncommon for children to play with the same toy or activity each time they come to ECFE. Maybe you have noticed that your child likes to play with their trains or dolls or building blocks most of the time at home. This is okay. They aren't missing out by spending their time focused on one activity. The way to make these activities richer for your child is to join in and follow their lead.

Following your child's lead allows you to provide language through the questions and interactions that you have with your child. We can encourage our kids to think more deeply by asking questions and simply talking about what our child is doing. Here are some additional benefits to following your child's lead:

• Children are given an opportunity to build their curiosity when they get to lead. They get to explore how they see fit instead of in a prescribed manner. Parents are given the opportunity to learn about their child's thinking when they follow their child. 
• When children lead, they explore in ways that are meaningful to them. Parent can enrich this exploration by adding words and concepts to their exploration. 
• Leading gives children a chance to practice decision making. They get to decide what to do with a given activity. Parents can encourage turn taking when following their child's lead. 
• Children choose to include or not include our ideas when we follow their lead. Parents are given the opportunity to listen to their child. 
• Children need to communicate more when they are leading. Following your child's lead allows you to learn about your child's interests and have fun together!

One easy way to follow your child's lead is to practice being an OWL. 

Observe your child. Notice what toys, activities and people draw your child's attention. Notice if your child spends more time or works hard at certain activities. Find ways to allow your child to engage in the activities they find most exciting and enjoy the most. Then join in those activities with your child. 

Watch for your child to get interested in an activity. Waiting can be hard but allow your child time to engage or explore before you show them how to do it. Also notice how your child explores. They might use a toy in a new way instead how we might think they should use it. 

Listen to your child through their words and actions. Respond to what your child is doing by copying them or talking about what they are doing or asking questions. Get down at their level to encourage interaction. When your child initiates interaction with you, respond to what they say or do. Stay on topic. 

Following your child's lead is not only beneficial to you and your child, it is fun too! If you would like to learn more about following your child's lead, check out our virtual parent discussion groups here. Discussion groups meet on various days and times. Choose the one that works best for you.