We are well on our way to helping our little ones build their vocabulary, but how do we increase their exposure to words in our day-to-day lives?
I’ll share a couple of tips today – try these and then come back for more in a few days:
Use communicative temptations
[encourage them to make sounds/say words by tempting them with something that they really enjoy]Put a desired snack in a clear container with a lid so that your kiddo will have to communicate* with you in order to get your help with opening the container. Always say the word that you are trying to teach them (“help” or “open”) and praise them with 1 snack when they attempt to communicate*. Continue playing the game by closing the lid and giving the container back to them after they get their 1 snack/reward. Each time, wait an extra few seconds to see if they try communicating more than the last time (for example: if they looked at you and held the container up to you the first time, this time, still model the word “help” or “open”, but then wait 10 seconds for them to make an attempt at saying something, then praise!)
|*communicate means that they may make eye contact, gesture, point, grunt, say a sound, say a word that doesn’t even resemble ‘help’ or ‘open’, or say the word ‘help’ or ‘open’ >>> any combination of these are attempts to communicate with you and you should praise them by opening the container and giving them 1 snack|
Avoid anticipating their needs/wants
[as parents, we often know exactly what our kids want without them saying or doing anything; but don’t automatically give them what they want, wait for them to communicate* with you]Stand at a closed door and wait for your kiddo to request that you open it. Always say the word that you are expecting them to say.
|remember that a request may look like eye contact, gesturing, pointing, grunting, saying a sound, saying a word that doesn’t even resemble ‘help’ or ‘open’, or saying the word ‘help’ or ‘open’ >>> any combination of these are attempts to communicate with you and you should praise them by opening the door|