When you’re doing the dishes, use one of the clean pots and a spoon to make a drum. Copy each other’s sounds. Go back and forth taking turns, repeating the same sounds. Build on each other’s rhythm.
Author: Sarah Childs
Stay silent game
While waiting, challenge your child to see how long both of you can be silent. Let them be the timer. You can use your face and body movements to communicate. Whoever stays silent the longest wins!
Stop-and-go
While at the park, play a game of “Stop-and-Go” with your child. When you say “go” you both run, dance, and jump around. Then, when you say “stop” everybody freezes. After a few rounds, let them be the one to shout the commands.
Create real life and book connections
When out and about, point out things you and your child have read about in books or seen in their favorite show. For example, “See that dog over there? Where have we seen a dog that looks like that?” or “When you wear your red coat it makes you look like a superhero! Are there… Continue reading Create real life and book connections
Rhyming Words
Pick a word and take turns saying words that rhyme with it. Keep going until you run out of words that rhyme. Then let your child pick a word. See if you can come up with silly ones to keep it fun like “slinky, pinkie, stinky.”
Talk about the weather
When you come in from outside, have a chat with your child about the weather. Were you hot or cold? Make sure you use simple sentences, but add bigger words, too.
Talk about your plans
Talk back and forth with your child about the plans for the day. Maybe you can chat about what you’re having for breakfast. Where are they going for the day? What might you do together? Or what are you both excited to do today?
Color Day
Any day can start off with a little color. Ask your child to pick today’s color, like yellow, red, or blue. When you’re getting them dressed, take turns picking something that’s the same color. See if you both can find more things the same color during breakfast.
Nature Picking
Going out? Grab a container and see what you and your child find that’s safe to pick up. Do you see some rocks to bring home and decorate? Do you see some leaves to glue into a collage? Do you see a bug to watch before you let it go? Continue watching and talking about… Continue reading Nature Picking
Grocery Shopping Conversation
When you’re grocery shopping with your child, hand them some of the items before you put them into the cart. As they check each out, tell them its name and talk about what you plan to use it for. Make sure it’s a conversation, where they’re adding their ideas!
