Connecting With Your Infant Toddler
Baby Eyes
Goals: Eye contact, bonding, fun, receptive vocabulary
Book 1.1
Lyrical Digital Media Books
Title: 1.1 Baby’s Eyes ©
Lyrics: JoAnn M. Rae Music: Sarah Garden
Stellar Nursery Book 1.1
Lyrics
Chorus
Baby’s Eyes Open
Baby’s Eyes Close
Baby’s Eyes blink at me,
And I hold baby close
Baby’s Eyes look at me
Baby’s Eyes see me
Baby’s Eyes love me every day.
Daddy’s Eyes Open
Daddy’s Eyes Close
Daddy’s Eyes blink at me,
And I hold Tinka close.
Daddy’s Eyes look at you,
Daddy’s Eyes see me,
Daddy’s Eyes love me every day.
Mama’s Eyes Open
Mama’s Eyes Close
Mama’s Eyes blink at me,
And I hold Mama close.
Mama’s Eyes look at me,
Mama’s Eyes see me
Mama’s Eyes love me every day.
Receptive Language Verbs
- open
- close
- blink
- look
- see
- love
- kiss
Descriptive Words
- cheeks
- warm
- soft
Receptive Language Nouns
- eyes
- baby
- mama
- papa
The infant–toddler phase begins at birth and ends at age 3. Children’s understanding of words and gestures is shaped by exposure to a wide range of language experiences. This program directs attention to important vocabulary, action words, and interactions essential to early communication.
Even if your child is not speaking yet, parents and family should continue to engage through these activities and natural-environment routines. Parents show the child what is happening around them. Across the series, words are presented through melody and everyday speech. The infant, toddler, and preschool periods are times of intensive language learning through ongoing interaction, play, and specialized activities.
Objectives: For Parents, Infants, and Toddlers
- Teach parents how to sing to their infant or toddler to develop receptive language and social interaction.
- Encourage eye contact with newborns, infants, and toddlers.
- For newborns, use singing only.
- Sing the child’s name each time you approach.
- Encourage bonding with parents.
- Encourage language learning through positive experiences with lyrics and melody.
- Encourage development of receptive language.
Instructions: Listen to and watch the digital book. Practice singing the melody. Once you learn it, sing it to your infant or toddler.
Audio: You can also play the digital book, music, or the song for your child.
Be aware of clothing that may irritate the sensory system. Try not to have loud music or other noises that startle your infant or toddler.
Encourage family members to visit the website and learn how to interact with your child to support language development and quiet interaction, especially in the first year of life, including families with other autistic members or members with Asperger’s.
You can also involve older children in the learning process. This helps them grow while supporting younger children.
- Teach older children to sing the songs with younger ones. Singing reinforces word learning, rhythm, and memory for both age groups.
- Give them coloring sheets related to the words or concepts being taught. As they color, they can talk about what the pictures mean, which strengthens understanding.
- Encourage them to help explain words in their own way—this deepens their own knowledge and builds confidence.
When older children participate, they become helpers and role models. This creates a positive learning environment where everyone is learning together.
Bring older children into the activity by teaching them to sing the songs or by providing coloring sheets.
Helpful items may include Tinka the turtle, Lamby and Rammy (sheep), a baby doll, a coloring book, and a soft, tag-free shirt. These materials can support comfort, play, and familiarity for your child.
Typical child development follows expected milestones in movement, language, and social skills from infancy through preschool. Children with autism develop over the same stages but may show differences in communication, social interaction, behavior, and sensory responses. Support through structure, clear communication, and appropriate environments helps both groups develop effectively.