Infant/Toddler: Play the "Bring Me" game with your child. Once your child is mobile (crawling counts) ask your child to bring you something. For example, lay out three objects (book, cup, and horse) nearby. Ask your child to bring you the book. Your child gets the book and brings it to you. Congratulate your child (a kind word, hug…) then ask them to bring you the cup. The game continues for as long as your child is interested. Once your child starts speaking they can ask you to bring them something. Change the objects for a new game. Once your child masters this game (you can continue to introduce new vocabulary to your child especially cultural items) you can lay out a few objects and have them bring you the object that starts with the /b/ sound. This helps train your child to listen for beginning sounds.

Children's House (3-6): Language explodes during this period and your child is able to learn many new vocabulary words daily. Discover what interests your child. Dinosaurs? Dance? Sports? Gather as many pictures or objects from that activity as you can. Help your child learn the proper names of each item and then practice using them. Adults sometimes mistakenly use 'baby' words with young children when they are perfectly capable of using the correct terminology.

Elementary: Continuing on the theme of terminology, continue with your elementary child to enhance their vocabulary skills. During this time expose your child to as many outings as is reasonable. Visit the history museum and specialty shops to fulfill your child's natural curiosity.

Copyright 2005, Ingrid Weland, Pen to Paper