Talking to young children often feels like a one-way street, but it’s so important for their growth and development! Here are some ideas by age of how to keep the chatter going.
Infant – babies
- Sing lullabies
- Make eye contact and use expressions when you talk to your baby
- Repeat back sounds that your child makes
- Look in a mirror with your child and ask questions like: “Who’s that?” [Say her name] “Where is the baby’s nose?” [Point at her nose]
- Ask about daily routines: “Which shirt will you pick today?”/ “Do you want milk or juice?”
- Expand: If she says “ball,” you can say, “That’s your big, red ball.”
- When he points at or gives you something, talk about the object: “You gave me the book. Thank you! Look at the picture of the baby rolling the ball.”
Toddlers
- Teach your child simple songs and nursery rhymes
- Teach your child to say her first and last names
- Ask open-ended questions that don’t have a yes/no answer
- Read books together
- Pretend together: act outing stories and role-playing creates rich opportunities to developing language
- Wait for it – give your child adequate time to answer your questions (so wait and then wait a bit more because they’re learning a new language)
Preschoolers
- Conversation is a two-way street: take turns listening and talking
- Encourage your child to use language to express ideas, observations, and feelings
- Play games that require listening and following directions
- Read books and ask your child questions about the story
- Participate in pretend play with your child
Adapted from Colorado Virtual Library.
