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To ensure your child receives an abundance of language stimulation throughout the day, follow the tips below.
- Use simple language –Speak slowly and clearly using single words and short phrases.
- Label – See where your child’s attention is directed, that is, where he is looking or where he is pointing, and name that item or action. If he points to a car, say “Car, car, you see a car”. If he points to the stairs, say “Up? up? You want up?” Be sure to emphasize the key words, i.e. car, up.
- Repeat – Rule of thumb: It is good to sound like a broken record! Your child will learn best through hearing words over and over again.
- Wait – wait – wait! – Give your child a chance to respond to what you have just said or done by waiting. (Stop talking; count to 10 in your head)
- Play with sounds – Make animal sounds as you sing “Old McDonald”. Add sounds to play, such as “vvvvroom” and “beep beep” while driving a toy car. Say “weeeee” while going down the slide at the park.
- Be a commentater – Talk about what you are doing and what your baby is doing throughout the day. “Mommy is washing hands, wash, wash, wash”. “Timmy’s walking, walk, walk, walk.”
- Sing Songs – In the bath, sing “This is the way we wash our (body part)”. While taking a walk, sing “Mr. Golden Sun” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. While dressing baby, sing “Head and Shoulders” as you touch each body part.
- Put words to your child’s sounds and actions– Think about how your child would say something if he could:
- If he pulls you by the hand, say “come” or “mama come”.
- While he is enjoying his food, say “mmm, yummm”.
- If he wants you to open a bag or container, say “Open? Open?” and wait for him to try.
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- TALK – TALK – TALK….AND HAVE FUN!
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