Early Intervention and Learning through Play

One of the things that our Early Intervention specialists love about their job is that they are "paid to play!"  When I first came into my position as Director of the REACH Early Intervention Program 6 months ago, I took the time to interview all my staff - 60 full and part time clinicians - some of whom had up to 25 years experience in this field.  Almost without exception they commented that "playing with the kids" was the most rewarding part of what they do.  Imagine if playing was your job - how cool would that be?

We all know that playing with your kids is the best part of being a parent, too.  As adults we are called into the game of play - be physically active, run and tumble, imagine and create wonderful worlds, build and climb and color and laugh.  These can truly become magical moments for us, and they are the special shared memories we carry forward.  And our children will remember those moments as well.  Think of the joy of laughing together with your child.

There is an old saying, "Play is children's work," and this is the basis for the work of the REACH Early Intervention Program team.  For instance, a young baby, just learning to sit and roll a ball back and forth with an adult, learns to keep her balance while sitting, how to keep her attention focused while waiting for the ball, how to anticipate the ball coming back, and lots of new words (ball, roll, your turn).  An older toddler learns even more by heading to the playground or park to toss or kick that ball, or begin to interact with other children.  They learn about spaces, and distances, and taking turns with friends.  The child learns about what their body can do - jump, run, climb, swing - and they learn to stretch themselves to be able to do more.

We as Early Intervention staff have learned that the best way to help children master developmental tasks is through their play (what they do best).  When we are invited into the child's  home or other setting we may go to (day care center, childcare center, or a local park, for example), our staff will suggest playing with children as a way to teach and to have fun!  In this game of learning we think of the Early Intervention staff as the coaches, and the child and parents or guardians as the players in the game.  Our staff may offer suggestions and new strategies to help a child with learning challenges, in motor, communication, social or learning skills, and we work with the best play partners, the child and his or her adult caregiver. 


                                                                                        Michael S. Hutton-Woodland, Ph.D.

Baby Communication and Early Intervention

It is often said that babies don't "come with an owner's manual" on how to care for them.  Many parents and caregivers feel a sense of inadequacy when the infant arrives, seemingly unable to communicate his or her needs.  Especially for new parents, the sense of awe and wonder at the newborn, the delight at its smallest movement or sound can be compounded by the nervousness or worry at the infant's crying or distress.

For most parents there is good news!  The good news is that we humans have been having babies for millions of years, so buried in our DNA and neural systems is a wealth of knowledge based upon experience. In fact we have evolved for a long time getting better and better at bringing newborns onto the earth.  Also, most new parents have their own parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, older brothers and sisters or even close friends who have gone through this process of birthing and raising their infant and toddler.  Pediatricians, nurses, midwives, nursing assistants and others are also available in our communities, as well as resources such as books and internet sites to give new parents information to feel confident in being with their child.

Too, babies are very good communicators about their needs and desires.  There is a clarity and a simplicity in what a baby is relating to us. Babies are authentic in their every behavior and expression, which should be reassuring.  And babies are so cute, so precious, and so dear that they capture our attention.  As parents we want to watch, and learn what our baby is telling us.  We can get entranced through working to understand the cues, even when they are subtle.  Babies can let us know not only what they want, or need, but also who they are.  Time and again we are reminded that while the baby grows and develops, changing sometimes before our very eyes, there are elements of her personality, and her own being, which are there from the beginning. The relationship established is the vehicle for communication between parent or caregiver and child. I encourage parents to investigate the wonderful work of Dr. Kevin Nugent to learn more about understanding your baby's communication.

While babies are wonderful communicators, there are going to be instances where parents are having trouble understanding their child, and worry they are not connecting with their child in ways that feel good.  Perhaps the parent or caregiver feels that their child is communicating through behavior or gestures and they don't understand him or her.  Sometimes toddlers have trouble expressing themselves and developing speech in a way that connects them to their world, their family, and their parents or caregivers. Some children have trouble with articulating words or ideas.  Parents may worry that their child is behind in speech relative to peers.  These are times when a referral to Early Intervention can be helpful, to assess speech and language development for your infant or toddler.  Please do not hesitate to call us (413-665-8717 in the US) or email us at reach@servicenet.org if you have questions we can answer!

                                                                                       Michael S. Hutton-Woodland, Ph.D.