Activities for Parents

Activities to Encourage your Child's Language According to Various Ages

Prior to his or her 1st birthday:
  • Respond to your child's coos, gurgles, and babbling
  • Talk to your child as you care for him or her throughout the day
  • Read colorful books to your child every day
  • Tell nursery rhymes and sing songs
  • Teach your child the names of everyday items and familiar people
  • Take your child with you to new places and situations
  • Play simple games with your child such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake"
1-2 year-olds
  • Reward and encourage early efforts at saying new words
  • Talk to your baby about everything you're doing while you're with him
  • Talk simply, clearly, and slowly to your child
  • Talk about new situations before you go, while you're there, and again when you are home
  • Look at your child when he or she talks to you
  • Describe what your child is doing, feeling, hearing
  • Let your child listen to children's records and tapes
  • Praise your child's efforts to communicate
2-3 year-olds
  • Repeat new words often
  • Help your child listen and follow instructions by playing games:"pick up the ball," "Touch Daddy's nose"
  • Take your child on trips and talk about what you see before, during and after the trip
  • Let your child tell you answers to simple questions
  • Read books every day, perhaps as part of the bedtime routine
  • Listen attentively as your child talks to you
  • Describe what you are doing, planning, thinking
  • Have the child deliver simple messages for you (Mommy needs you, Daddy)
  • Carry on conversations with the child, preferably when the two of you have some quiet time together 
  • Ask questions to get your child to think and talk
  • Show the child you understand what he or she says by answering, smiling, and nodding your head
  • Expand what the child says.  If he or she says, "more juice", you say, "Adam wants more juice"
3-4 year-olds
  • Talk about how objects are the same or different
  • Help your child to tell stories using books and pictures
  • Let your child play with other children
  • Read longer stories to your child
  • Pay attention to your child when he's talking
  • Talk about places you've been or will be going
 4-5 year olds
  • Help your child sort objects and things (ex: things you eat, animals...)
  • Teach your child how to use the telephone
  • Let your child help you plan activities such as what you will make for Thanksgiving dinner
  • Continue talking with him about his interests
  • Read longer stories to him
  • Let her tell and make up stories for you
  • Show your pleasure when she comes to talk with you
5-6 year-olds
  • Praise your child when she talks about her feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears
  • Comment on what you did or how you think you child feels
  • Sing songs, rhymes with your child
  • Continue to read longer stories
  • Talk with him as you would an adult
  • Look at family photos and talk to him about your family history
  • Listen to her when she talks to you
Missy McBride

Izard County School District
P.O. Box 115
5068 North AR 9, Brockwell, AR 72517
Phone 870-258-7700 | Fax 870-258-3140