Facial and Body Part Recognition

a550571 · January 2014

My Daughter is 16 months old and we just took her for her 15 month check up. The doctor said that we should start doing body part recognition with her. The only thing she currently knows is her Belly. She lifts her shirt up and smacks it. So cute! Anyways, I don't know how to get her to stay focused. If she's free on the ground she wants to run around and play, so I am trying to teach her at or after meal times because she's strapped in. It doesn't seem like she's interested. Does anyone have any tips as to how I can make this fun for her so that she will learn?

minervacullen · January 2014

I just randomly point to, touch, tickle the body part and say the name. Like touch her nose and say nose, then a little while later repeat. I don't make a time for it, I just do it.

tifdaski84 · January 2014

I wouldn't push it on her, just randomly point things out like PP's have mentioned. Does she like books? You could get one that points out body parts and point them out on her or you while you read it together. She'll eventually pick things up just like with any other words.

rsideemd · January 2014

Nicb13 said:

DS always seemed interested in my face, and touching my eyes, nose, etc so that was my opportunity to teach him the different parts. Also, he has this dog that plays music and talks and stuff so I use that to teach him legs, arms, feet, etc. I also try to use various things we do during the day as a chance to teach him. For example, putting on socks and shoes, I point out his toes, his feet, etc.

This is exactly what we do. She also loves books. We have several with body parts in them. Her favorite is Eyes & Nose, Fingers & Toes. It's a Sesame Street book, so I just point to the part as I'm reading,

emberlee3 · January 2014

Washing hands, diaper changes, dressing, bath time, putting on shoes, etc. all lend themselves to naming body parts. Songs and books are fun, too. Don't force it.

fanofanne · January 2014

Possum2011 said:

I wouldn't push it on her, just randomly point things out like PP's have mentioned. Does she like books? You could get one that points out body parts and point them out on her or you while you read it together. She'll eventually pick things up just like with any other words.

this is what we do. we make it a game, a song, or playtime.

oliversmommy32912 · January 2014

We have never done any kind of "formal" teaching of body parts. DS just kind of picked them up as we went along. We just include it in every day life. He also only knew belly at that age and maybe nose. Now five or six months later he knows head, nose, eyes, ears, mouth, hair, elbow, belly, hands, feet, knees, bottom, and maybe a couple others. Toddlers are very observant. Im sure she will pick them up quickly if you just point the out in every day life.

ashiscute · January 2014

LalaMama81 said:

Yea, you don't have lessons you just kind of add it in as it comes naturally. Putting on mittens? Talk about hands. Taking a bath? tons of options. There are all kinds of songs w/ body parts in them, too. It just kind of happens.

This. Also, bath time is great for learning let's wash this and that. It's not something to stress yourself out about. At 16 mos they are learning all the time. No need to force it.

LoveBug0516 · January 2014

We taught most of her body parts while in the bath tub. At this point she can point put and/or say mouth, teeth, tongue, eyes, ears, forehead, nose, hair, elbows, shoulders, belly, privates (for now), feet, fingers, knees. Just focus on the head first and work your way down. Good luck!

a550571 · January 2014

Thanks everyone! I have also been trying to incorporate all this into our everyday life. She knows what I'm talking about but she won't do any commands. For example, I'll say, "Let's put your shoes and socks on your feet" and she tries to do it herself. Or I can say, "lets wash your face" and she'll wipe her face with her bib. lol But if I say,"where is your nose or mommy's nose" she doesn't do anything. I know that in time, it will all come, but of course, the doctor made me feel like DD is behind. Darn doctors. ugh.

mrsshawnavanb · January 2014

Nicb13 said:

DS always seemed interested in my face, and touching my eyes, nose, etc so that was my opportunity to teach him the different parts. Also, he has this dog that plays music and talks and stuff so I use that to teach him legs, arms, feet, etc. I also try to use various things we do during the day as a chance to teach him. For example, putting on socks and shoes, I point out his toes, his feet, etc.

Same here. DD knows eyes, nose, fingers, toes, ears, belly and mouth. She is 20 months old.

APendola · January 2014

If I ask DD, she will point and say the words for "nose" and "mouth" and she will also point to her head, ears, and eyes. She'll only do this if she is in the mood for it though. It is definitely hard to get them to focus on learning something. So I think if you just point out things like during the day, she'll eventually learn.

I found it helpful to start with one part of the body...her face/head worked for us. As I said, she knows her nose, mouth, head(touches the top of her head), ears and eyes. We'll work on the knees and toes later

CurlyQ284 · January 2014

DSs daycare teacher did story time when i was picking him up last week so I sat with him through the stories. She read "I love you through and through" and pointed to the body parts in the story. In the class of 10 only two were saying the names with her. They range from 14-24 months. I woukd find stories like that to make it fun.

cece673 · January 2014

My dd is 16 months and knows eyes, nose, head, hair, ears, face, hands, belly, belly button, legs, feet and toes. I just try to always label them when it's relevant (bath time, when we're washing her hands, etc), and we also sing "head, shoulders, knees and toes."

adoxyinherear · January 2014

All of these suggestions are great! We have a song we sing to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," and go through different parts, like, "Touch, Touch, Touch Your Nose" or "Pat, Pat, Pat Your Head." She really likes it and it gets her moving, too.

a550571 · January 2014

CurlyQ284 said:

DSs daycare teacher did story time when i was picking him up last week so I sat with him through the stories. She read "I love you through and through" and pointed to the body parts in the story. In the class of 10 only two were saying the names with her. They range from 14-24 months. I woukd find stories like that to make it fun.

My daughter LOVES that book. Great idea!

DCBengalBelle · January 2014

We sing, " Head, shoulders, knees and toes," a lot. We add eyes, ears, mouth and nose to the end.

jess9802 · January 2014

I also name body parts when reading "I Love You Through and Through," and when changing DS's diaper or dressing him.

Of course, when I ask DS "Where's your nose?" he taps mine. If DH asks him where his nose is, DS will run across the room to tap my nose. Silly kid.

Everyusernameistaken · January 2014

Every night when we bathe our son, we tell him what we're washing. "Now we're washing your head/eyes/shoulders/penis" etc. It's an easy way to build it into our daily routine and he loves it!!

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