Being a parent is full of milestones to wait for. First you’re waiting for the simplest things like a real smile. Next, movement like crawling and walking, but few milestones are as fun as talking. A baby graduating from non-verbal communicator to gibbering toddler provides a never-ending source of entertainment, pride and amazement. Sadly it’s also a long sentence from first word to coherent speaker. Luckily as a parent you can turn language tutoring into play time with these fun communication skill building toddler games.
Where is it?:
One the first and simplest games you can play with your toddler is called, “where is it?” All you do is ask your toddler where things are. Where’s your nose? Where’s your cat? Where’s dad? Naturally if your child points to the right object, person or thing you say, “hurray” or offer some other form of positive reinforcement, if he/she gets it wrong simply say, “No, way *this* is here.” This toddler games begins to build your child’s vocabulary while helping them learn the names of the things in their world.
What is it?:
A step up from where is it you can play the same game but at a more advanced level by asking, “What is this?” and pointing at object you would regularly play where is it with. This takes a common activity and switches the tables making your toddler talk rather than you. This game can also be combined with story time for added vocabulary and language building. You can play both of these word games anywhere from the home to the grocery store and everywhere in between.
In this game you take words your toddler already knows and work them into a song that includes words he/she doesn’t. For instance, “I know a *insert your child’s name” who likes to eat, eat, eat with his/her feet, feet, feet” or some other silly little song. As your child gets older they’ll go from singing along to writing the songs. Rhyming and repetition are encouraged. You can also turn this into an art activity and make your own instruments together to play with your songs.
While many may not think of toddlers when they hear Pictionary many toddlers adore an altered version. You draw a picture and let your toddler tell you what it is. This game can also be used on letters and numbers. If done once a day you’ll be surprised how quickly your child can identify their A, B, C’s and 1, 2, 3’s. Later when your toddler’s art skills improve you can trade rolls and let them draw. This can also make a great family activity.
Word of the moment:
Many educational cartoons use this game to increase vocabulary. Generally a word is chosen each day and that word is used as much as possible and celebrated when used, however with younger toddlers you may go every week or every few days and work with communication type words such as eat, sleep, cold, hot, etc. When focusing on a word also try reading books involving the word, print the word on paper and place it around the house, act out the word if it’s an action and basically incorporate it as much as possible into everyday life.
Remember that even if you play one million word games your child still may not talk well until they are well past the toddler years. All kids develop at a different rate having stronger and weaker areas of their development. Be patient, be proud, and be ready because once they start talking, they don’t stop.
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