I had a long list of activities to do with Pineapple when she arrived, but I have learned that they aren't all equal in terms of attachment. Pushing your child in a stroller for a daily walk or taking them to museums or playing sports, etc. with your child is great and creating experiences withthem is fun, but as far as bonding I have found the following activities the best for adopted or biological toddlers.
1. Lotion- massage your child and let your child put lotion on you
2. Sing songs to each other
3. Stretch exercises on a mat together
4. Feed your child
5. Read to each other
6. Draw and share your pictures (ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes)
7. Make a fort or spend some time together in a little tent with stuffed animals pretending
8. Let your child help you with chores
9. Finger games (itsy spider, patty cake, 10 little, round and round, row row boat)
10. Do each other's hair
11. Let your child sit and play on your back while you read or rest
12. Swing together at the park
13. Sit together and watch appropriate
youtube shorts and talk about them
14. Play phone talk about your child
15. Look through photo albums
16. Listen with good eye contact and repeat back what your child says
17. Wear matching colors
18. Take pictures of your child and show them
Two other things we have been doing is
1. Since Pineapple has several pretend ouchies a day I ask her often about her happy parts (noes, eyes, knees, etc.) that are currently not hurting and feeling good
2.
Workout with Mommy and Me is a video she loves to do with me and it incorporates exercise and bonding moments
Labels: bonding activities with your adopted child
Neat blog. This is my first visit. I'll be back! ;)
I love your list.
I bet she is bonded like she has been with your forever by now.
How is the potty training going?