800-MD-SINAI (800-637-4624)
© 2022 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
April 19, 2022
You may know that joint attention is an important part of screening for autism, but it’s also important to explain to parents why sharing attention and focus is an important part of communication. Try asking parents to notice whether their infant involves them in an activity, or if they can get their baby to look…
Read moreApril 12, 2022
Research shows that babies learn language best through high pitched, sing-song, exaggerated speech. This type of voice – parentese – uses real words and appropriate grammar, and may come naturally to many parents. If it does not, try incorporating it in infant visits when you can. And try offering parents a quick explanation on why…
Read moreApril 5, 2022
Research shows that children with a growth mindset – the belief that intelligence is not fixed and that they can work hard and practice to improve – understand mistakes as opportunities to learn. In your visits, you can try taking a simple mistake – like closing the computer when you still need it, or dropping…
Read moreMarch 29, 2022
From our partners at VROOM, here’s a fun activity to try in your next visit with a 3-year-old: Make a face and ask your patient to try and guess what you’re feeling—like sad, tired, excited, surprised or scared. Then take turns and ask your patient to make a face while you guess what they are feeling.…
Read moreMarch 22, 2022
Caregivers may have noticed their baby’s developing memory – like crying when they see the doctor or remembering hand movements to their favorite song or game. In your visits, you can build on this by asking the baby to follow simple directions, like touching their toes, giving a high five, or making an animal sound.…
Read moreMarch 15, 2022
Learning to feed themselves is important for babies’ regulation and fine motor skills. Being able to stop when they’re done allows babies to control how much they eat – and learn their bodies’ own signs of fullness. Feeding can exercise the small muscles in a baby’s hand and assist in learning the pincer grasp –…
Read more