The Power of a Smile

Posted by egray on 03 January 25

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.

Resources:

Talk, Read, and Sing Together Every Day

Bilingual Backpacks:

Yolo County Library -Kits & Technology – Yolo County Library

• • • • Creciendo 
      • Amigos
      • Soy Unico
      • Fronteras
      • Raices 

Talking Together

Posted by egray on 14 September 21

The conversations you have with your child are creating a (1) rich vocabulary, (2) creative thinking, (3) conversation skills (e.g., taking turns, listening), (4) self-awareness and expression, and an attending mindset (e.g., making eye contact, body language, reacting by smiling, etc.).

Building a storytelling, reading, and singing routine is a quick way to boost your child’s early literacy skills. Parents can also engage their children by discussing what items to put in their cart at the grocery store. For example, you could discuss what the household is making for dinner, the array of colors you see in the food packages, and the texture of fruits and vegetables.  Use descriptive words such as “smooth, shiny” or “fuzzy, soft”.

Reading a wordless book can give you and your child a chance to make up your own story.

Book recommendation: Hello by Aiko Ikegami

In this wordless picture book, an alien visits Earth makes friends with a little girl, and returns to his home planet to share his experiences.

ISBN: 9781939547583

TAGS: TALK, STORYTELLING, VOCABULARY, STORIES WITHOUT WORDS