Who's at the Door?
What you need
- the doormat inside the front door
How to do it
- When someone comes to the door, or a grown-up at home knocks just for this, open it and greet them warmly yourself.
- Say hello to them by name so your toddler hears it: 'hello, Auntie Jo'.
- Let your toddler hang back, hide or watch for as long as they need.
- Carry on chatting. Give them time, and let any hello come later or not at all.
Why it matters
Toddlers learn greetings by watching adults do them, and a toddler who's given time to warm up at their own pace usually comes round, while one who's made to perform tends to dig in.
What they're learning
- Watching a greeting
- Seeing you do it warmly is the lesson, whether or not they join in today.
- Warming up
- Taking time with someone new is a normal part of being a person, not something to fix.
- Names for people
- Hearing a visitor's name as they arrive links the person to the word.
What to look for
Watch for a wave or a look arriving a few minutes later, once the visitor has settled in.
A tip
If they hide behind your legs, that's an answer too. Say it yourself and let them watch. Nobody needs to wave on command. No hugs or kisses asked for either. A greeting is a wave or a word, and it's theirs to give.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: greet people they see most often, like a grandparent
Harder: let them come to the door with you for a less familiar visitor
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