“Family Tree”
- This skill becomes very important as children become more independent. If separated from you, Your child will be reunited with you much faster if your child can give your name.
- Help your child to understand the difference between first and last names by using his name as an example (e.g., your first name is….., your dad’s first name is …..).
- Once you have given Dad and Mom’s names several times, play a game with your child. Give a variety of first names and tell your child to respond when hearing Mom or Dad’s. Prompt if necessary until he independently identifies the names consistently.
- Repeat the same activities, however, this time give your child Mom and Dad’s last names (if Mom has kept the maiden name, this will be a little more difficult).
- Once your child seems confident, do role-playing. Pretend your child is in a store and has become separated from Mom and Dad. Pretend you are the store manager and ask “What is your Mommy/Daddy’s name?”