Imitation is an addition to the other skills to utilize while making the most of play with your child.
Previously, I've discussed Praise and Reflection.
Imitation is a quieter, more subtle skill that has great impact for social skills, self esteem, and parent-child relationship.
I know a lot of adults that really don't like playing with their child. They find it boring to watch a child build a tower or they do not know how to keep up with the dialogue between My Little Ponies (that's me!). These skills make it a little easier to enjoy the play.
Again, I'm not a master of parenting. I am pulling these "skills" from my Parent-Child Interaction Therapy training and experience. I've witnessed relationships come to live in families and I've seen behaviors in children improve with positive play alone.
SETTING UP PLAY
The Adult sets up the stage. Choose 3-4 toys and set up an area.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. This is the prescription: Daily dose of play, 5 minutes per day. That's it. You wouldn't believe how challenging it is to fit in 5 minutes. Or maybe you would.
Allow the child to "lead" and you "follow". This is done while you Praise , Reflect, Imitate, Describe, and Enjoy.
Avoid giving the child commands, asking the child questions, using sarcasm, and being negative.
WHY Imitation is helpful:
"Imitation is the greatest form of flattery"
Imitation is a quiet way of saying you approve and like what the child is doing. They spend their essence of being, imitating and modeling you. When you model them, their mind is blown.
1. Shows acceptance
2. Builds self-esteem
3. Increases positive behaviors
4. Increases basic social skills including turn-taking and sharing.
5. Builds bond
How to imitate:
I'm not trying to patronize anyone here. You imitate. You don't need to say anything.
Child flies a triangle in the air. Adult picks up a triangle and makes the same motion.
Child colors a sun. Adult colors a sun.
**Child throws a block. Adult DOES NOT throw a block. Adult picks up block and gently places it on another.
The child leads the play, as appropriate. I'll do a post about handling negative behaviors. But for now, the focus is on the positive. And the reality is when a child is praised, listened to, and imitated by an adult; behaviors are going to be pretty darn good.
What to expect:
Your child will look at you weird. They will tell you, you are doing it wrong. They will tell you to stop. Just move along and keep things positive. When done correctly, they will imitate you imitating. They will take turns imitating. They will praise you for doing it correctly. They will share their toys in order to be imitated. They're imagination will enhance as they will want to test how far their adult will engage with them. HAVE FUN :)