As you sit down to eat, look at the table and talk with your child about where things are. “Where’s the plate? The plate is on the table. Veggies are in the bowl. The spoon is next to the plate.” What if you move them? “Now, where is the spoon?”
Author: Five Ones
Copy each other while you eat
Time to eat? Invite your child to imitate what you do. Pick up your spoon, take some food and say, “Mmm delicious,” and put the spoon down. Or take tiny bites and have them do the same. Then invite them to do something and you copy them.
Who wears this?
As you sort laundry, ask your child to guess who it belongs to. You can hold up a shirt, “Who wears this?” Let them respond and then they can pick the next piece of clothing and you guess. If they don’t know, you can tell them and share how you know this.
Describe steps to change clothes
Dressing your child? Talk about each step of the process. For example, “First we put your leg in the pants. Then we put in the other leg. Now we pull the pants up.” Pause after each step so they can move their legs, stand up to help you, or make a comment.
Describe steps to change diaper
When changing your child’s diaper, describe the steps you’re taking: “First you lay down. Then we take off your pants. Now I unfasten your diaper.” Pause after each so they can lift their bottom or move their legs to help.
Point out colors
As you shop, let your child help by holding some stuff. Choose the items by color or let them point to the one they want to hold and name the color. “You’re holding the yellow box. What else is yellow?” or “Can you hold this brown box?”
What’s that sound?
Do you hear a sound? Pause. Ask your child, “What’s that sound?” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing a slamming door or papers rustling? The squeak of a sliding chair or someone clearing their throat? Name them all together!
Name that sound
When you’re outside, pause and ask your child to “Name That Sound.” Take turns guessing. Are you hearing children playing or a dog barking? The squeak of a swing or the chirp of a bird? Point out that some things, like ants, don’t make sounds.
Where’s the crayon?
Place something small and safe, like a crayon, in the palm of one hand. Close both hands, asking, “Where’s the Crayon?” When your child points to one of your hands, open it, saying, “Yes, here’s the crayon!” or if the crayon’s not there, open the other hand.
Count steps
When your child is learning to walk up and down stairs, hold their hand, and count each step you take. This helps them become familiar with their numbers and it’s fun!
