Sabemos que la comunicación está en el corazón de cada relación. Ya sea verbal o no verbal, la forma en que nos expresamos da forma a la manera en que nos conectamos con nuestros hijos y cómo ellos navegan por el mundo que los rodea. Una de las formas de comunicación más simples pero poderosas que tenemos a nuestra disposición es una sonrisa.
Una sonrisa es universal, trascendiendo el idioma, la cultura e incluso la edad. Para los niños, una sonrisa puede ser una herramienta poderosa para el desarrollo emocional y social. Es más que solo un gesto de felicidad: puede tener significados como “gracias”, “te veo”, “te aprecio” o simplemente, “estoy aquí contigo”. Al enseñarles a los niños a reconocer y utilizar el poder de una sonrisa, les estamos ayudando a desarrollar su alfabetización emocional y a profundizar sus conexiones con los demás.
Una Sonrisa como un “Gracias” -En el mundo acelerado en el que vivimos, a veces los simples gestos de gratitud pueden pasarse por alto.
Una Sonrisa como “Te Veo” -Cada niño quiere sentirse visto, escuchado y comprendido. A veces, no basta con solo decirles que los vemos; necesitamos mostrarles a través de nuestras acciones.
Una Sonrisa como “Te Aprecio”- Un niño que recoge sus juguetes, ayuda a poner la mesa o simplemente comparte una sonrisa con un hermano – todas estas acciones merecen ser reconocidas.
Una Sonrisa como una Forma de Comunicación-La primera forma de comunicación de los niños no son las palabras, son las expresiones.
Sonreír para Conectar y Brindar Consuelo-Una sonrisa también es una forma de consuelo.
Enseñar Sonrisas como una Habilidad para Toda la Vida -Cuando enseñamos a los niños a sonreír a cambio, les estamos enseñando una valiosa habilidad para la vida: reconocer el mundo que los rodea con positividad y calidez.
We know that communication is at the heart of every relationship. Whether verbal or nonverbal, how we express ourselves shapes how we connect with our children and how they navigate the world around them. One of the simplest yet most powerful forms of communication we have at our disposal is a smile.
A smile is universal, transcending language, culture, and even age. For children, a smile can be a powerful tool for emotional and social development. It is more than just a gesture of happiness – it can carry meanings such as “thank you,” “I see you,” “I appreciate you,” or simply, “I am here with you.” By teaching children to recognize and use the power of a smile, we are helping them develop emotional literacy and deepen their connections with others.
A Smile as a “Thank You” – In the fast-paced world we live in, sometimes simple gestures of gratitude can get overlooked.
A Smile as “I See You” – Every child wants to feel seen, heard and understood. Sometimes, it’s not enough to just tell them we see them – we need to show them through our actions.
A Smile as “I Appreciate You” – A child picking up their toys, helping to set the table, or simply sharing a smile with a sibling – all these actions deserve acknowledgment.
A Smile as a Form of Communication – Words are not a child’s first form of communication – expressions are.
Smiling for Connection and Comfort – A smile is also a form of comfort.
Teaching Smiles as a Lifelong Skill – When we teach children to smile in return, we are teaching them a valuable life skill – to acknowledge the world around them with positivity and warmth.
The famous architect Antoni Gaudi said: to do things well, first comes love, then technique.
First 5 knows that all parents love their children and want what’s best for their future. The first 5 years are critical for healthy development and for children to reach their full potential. This is why First 5 invests in programs and resources for families that cover the prenatal stage and up until a child’s first day of kindergarten.
Read. Talk. Sing. Is a communications campaign from First 5 California to foster a love of reading and enrich early language and learning at home. It elevates those everyday moments in which we communicate with love and build routines that strengthen our bond with our children.
We begin to develop our language before birth, and early language is the best predictor of kindergarten readiness. Did you know research shows that warm, reciprocal interactions strengthen our brain architecture and physical and emotional wellbeing across our lifespan?
Love always builds BIG.
So, keep doing what your parents, grandparents, brothers/sisters, aunts/uncles taught you. Read. Talk. Sing. But only until your little one says it’s their turn, or I will read it!
(Thank you to Melina Ortigas of First 5 Yolo who contributed this post.)
Would you like to add more songs to your child’s play or reading time?
Let me tell you about the Story Time Kits available in our Yolo County Libraries. The “Let’s Sing This Book” Kit has eight bilingual sing-along books, a puppet and a felt story. The kit includes favorite songs such as Five Little Ducks and Old McDonald Had a Farm.
Family literacy is how a family interacts with text, words, pictures, rhymes, and songs. Family literacy can be practiced by reading books, playing games, and singing songs. Let’s explore literacy through singing.
Sing songs together. Make up new songs, too! The sillier the better. A fun way to sing together is to take a familiar song and add new verses, include family names in the song, find new rhymes, or sing with silly voices. Create new songs about what you are doing and have fun working together. Watch a musical and sing the songs all day long.
Create a family concert and ask your children to practice their favorite song.
Have everyone participate in a family march and make up a song as you go. As you march around the house or outside, the children can collect objects to tell a story or become part of your song.
Help your children read a sing-along book. If you don’t know the tune, make it up!
Be silly!
And of course, have as much fun as possible.
Story Time Kits and Bilingual Backpacks are available at your local Yolo County Library branch. Check out yolocountylibrary.org/learning for additional information.
What Should I Read Next? Answer a few simple questions about what you like to read (or need to read) and library staff will email personalized recommendations directly to your inbox.
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We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. For more information, please go to: www.yochadehe.gov
