Even in a comfortable setting, the child may not be in the best mood for meeting someone new. If they’re obviously upset or are extremely clingy with a parent or other loved one, wait for a better time to introduce yourself.
If they’re doing something else, wait for maybe 10-15 seconds until they look towards you. If they still haven’t taken notice of you by this point, go ahead and begin your introduction.
The taller you are, the more helpful it is to bring your eyes down near their level. [5] X Expert Source Bianca Solorzano, M. Ed. Infant Development & Montessori Consultant Expert Interview. 1 November 2021. If getting down on the floor isn’t happening for you, wait until the toddler is in a high chair having a snack, then sit down beside or across from them.
Try to maintain your smile while you’re observing, talking, and listening. Keep it natural, though—don’t fake a big smile that might actually confuse or frighten them!
If you’re worried about getting the right tone, practice in the mirror a few times beforehand. That way, you can also make sure you’re giving a genuine smile while you speak.
For example, you might say: “Hello, Rosie. My name is Janet, and I’ve been friends with your Mommy since we were both little kids like you!” Or, for instance: “Hi, Daniel. I’m Gene, and I’m your Daddy’s big brother—just like Leo is your big brother. ” Or: “Hi, Bob. I’m Miss Davis, and I’m your sister Lucy’s school teacher. We like to read books together!”
If they respond well, share some more about yourself, ask what they’re doing, suggest a game you can play together, or find other ways to build on your positive introduction. If they ignore you and keep doing what they were doing, give them another 10-15 seconds and try to engage with them again. If they respond poorly, wrap things up for now and try again another time.
For instance: “It was so nice to meet you, Drake. I really enjoyed playing blocks with you. Maybe next time we can look at a book together. Goodbye, Drake. ” Or: “Thank you so much for letting me take a look at your teeth, Andrew. You’ll have even more teeth next time you come visit my office! Goodbye, Andrew. ”
You should always talk to a parent or caregiver before approaching a toddler anyway, so ask for tips about the best way to introduce yourself. After talking to the parent/caregiver, you can also watch the toddler for a few minutes to get a better idea of their likes and dislikes.
For example, if the toddler is playing with wood blocks, grab a few of the blocks that are out of their immediate reach and start stacking them yourself. Keep a smile on your face and a friendly demeanor throughout. You can combine this tactic with a spoken introduction, or simply play quietly until the toddler silently “invites” you to join in their activity. You might get handed a block, for instance!
Use your chat with the parents/caregivers and your own observations to come up with an activity that suits both the toddler’s developmental level and interests.
For instance, you might say. “Oh, I’m afraid to hug that big stuffed bear! Is there anyone here who can help me? John, you look very brave—can you help me hug the big bear?”
Instead of a verbal story, you can also try drawing simple pictures and asking the toddler to help you complete a visual story.
