Category: Speak to

While you’re with your child watch what catches their eye. Point to things you see and say what they are. “There’s a black bird and he’s flying!” or “The little girl is jumping.” Watch where they’re looking and say what it is.

When your child starts to say words or make sounds that could be words, connect them to more words. If they say “nose,” you can say, “There’s your nose and there’s mine.” If they say “beep, beep,” you can say, “The horns on the car go beep, beep.” Later you can ask, “What sound do… Continue reading Connect words to body parts

Give your child safe containers of different sizes to play with. You can use measuring cups, bowls, or whatever is handy. Encourage them to try placing some of the containers inside others. Talk together about what they’re doing. “Two cups fit inside the big pot.” “Which others fit? Which ones don’t?” Ask questions to keep… Continue reading Play with different containers

Dance with your child and ask, “Should we dance slow?” Pick them up and gently move as you hum a slow tune. “Should we dance fast?” Change your tune and dance faster. Watch how they use their arms or move to tell you which they like and respond to what they’re telling you.

Sometimes it can be fun to mix things up as you make statements like, “Your banana is blue. I wear shoes on my ears,” or “This ice cream is hot.” Give your child a chance to correct you and show how much they know before they take a turn mixing things up.

Ask your child questions like, “Would you rather be a bird or a fish? Why?” Have them give you a few reasons from real-life experience like, “I love the water so I want to be a fish!” Then you take a turn answering their questions!

What is your child doing? Reaching for a toy? Hitting two blocks together to make a sound? As they discover their world, pay attention, smile, and use words that they will learn someday: “You reached out your fingers and got your toy.”

Talk to your child about how things feel on their skin: “Your shirt is soft.” “The wind is cold.” “The ice cube is slippery.” See how they react and continue the conversation: “You like the warm water in your bath!”

Using self-control and focus while eating a favorite treat can be fun. First, ask your child to look at the snack and describe what they see. Then smell it, touch it, and finally take just a little taste. Talk with them about what they did to help them wait.

Tonight at dinner, talk about favorites. “What is your favorite color (animal, food, place, book)?” You start and then let your child have a turn. Keep going back and forth until you each name five favorites!