Language Activities for Two
Helping your child develop her language skills may be one of the most enjoyable tasks you'll ever undertake. Why? Because you get to talk to him, and listen to the wonderful way his mind works as he answers.
Talk him through an activity.
Explain what you're doing as you do it. Speak clearly.
Let him see your face as you speak.
This way he can watch how your mouth makes sounds.
Speak at him level.
Don't use baby talk, or overly hard words. Stress the syllables.
Listen to him.
Build his confidence by showing him that what he says is important.
Don't point out mistakes.
Instead, repeat the whole sentence saying the word correctly.
Try to read every day.
Children who read early and easily are those who were read to at home.
Read predictable books.
Soon he’ll be "reading" it by himself. Some good examples are: I Went Walking, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Peanut Butter and Jelly and Little Red Hen.
Play with writing.
If he’s interested in pencils and paper, let him try.
Play Object Hide-and-Seek.
Hide a favourite toy and ask him to find it.
Play labeling games.
Point to familiar things and ask him to name them.
Act out action words.
Like crawl, jump, or sleep.
Sing.
Introduce nursery rhymes, finger plays and counting rhymes. Listen to them on CD.
Play imitating games.
Like "This is The Way We Wash Our Face" or "I'm A Little Teapot."
