Serve and return is an easily understood concept in games such as volleyball, tennis, and ping pong. When one player serves the ball to another player, the receiver must focus and interact when returning the ball to the server. The continued back and forth nature of this game becomes fun to play, builds skills, and improves learning with every serve and return.
How can this theory be applied to child development? When a child “serves” (shows interest in something) and a caregiver “returns” (responds in a certain way – with words, eye contact, hugs, hand gestures), the child is then likely to serve again. These back and forth interactions are critical for brain development, building necessary pathways for future learning and development.
Researchers have outlined five key concepts for nurturing these kinds of interactions with your child. These easy interventions can even be used before verbal language is developed!
- Share focus: Pay attention to your child’s words, gestures and eyes. When your child focuses on something, engage with him and build an understanding that you are paying attention. These are serves.
- Support and encourage: Return the serve by responding verbally (say “thank you”), make a facial expression (smile), or use a hand gesture (reach for the object a child is pointing to). By returning the serve, a child learns that her feelings and wishes are understood.
- Name it: Naming things will help to support language development. Even if a child doesn’t have the words yet, this is a way for him to learn and increase his vocabulary.
- Take turns: Keep the interaction going back and forth. Learning to wait for a response helps a child develop self control and provides the opportunity for a response. Waiting helps develop the sense that feelings and wishes matter.
- Practice endings and beginnings: Let your child take the lead and decide when she is done and ready to move on to the next thing. Supporting her in doing so will help her learn to be confident when exploring the world.
With practice, these interactions become habitual for caregivers. It’s important to remember that even small moments are crucial and are building blocks in a child’s development. Simply being mindful and responsive to your child’s actions and signals can be a meaningful experience and create an environment rich in learning.
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.