What you can do to help your baby learn more with:
When you and your child put your imaginations together, you’ll be amazed at what you can add to this medical kit to make the play more realistic and fun. Designate an area of your house as the doctor’s office or hospital. Make a sign for the door, "The doctor is in." Gather willing patients (dolls and stuffed animals are always in need of a check-up). Put magazines and a chair in your waiting room, and a play phone for the receptionist. Locate a little tablet of paper so your "doctor" can write prescriptions.
If your child needs a few play prompts to get the idea, be the receptionist or nurse and suggest "problems" for her to solve. "Mrs. Johnson isn’t feeling well. Can you see her right away?"
Take turns being doctor and patient with your child, and listen carefully to what she says in each role. You’ll gain new insight, and she’ll gain new confidence!
Point things out on a real trip to the doctor's office—the stethoscope, the otoscope, the blood pressure cuff. When you get home, you can use your child’s toy medical kit to further explain what the instruments are used for.
All children develop at their own pace, and reach milestones at different times. The highlights mentioned in this web site are meant as approximate guidelines only. If you have any questions about your child's development, consult your healthcare provider.
