Twin Harbors Programs

How to Feed Your Child's Growing Vocabulary

Children are constantly hungry for sounds and words. Your child's early coos and babbles are actually an important form of communication. Just as you slowly add new tastes and textures to help your baby move from baby food to real meals, you can help him go from babbling to talking by introducing new words and by sharing what they mean and how to use them.

Recipes for success

• Talk as you go. Describe actions and objects that are part of your daily activities—as a sports announcer would. “It's raining today. Let's use an umbrella. An umbrella keeps us dry when it rains.”
• Mix it up. Use a variety of words each day. Instead of using the word nice, say, “It's a marvelous day.” Explain the word to your child and use it again in another way.
• Follow your child's lead. Provide the words to describe his interests. If your child notices a bug, say, “What do you see? A caterpillar? Yes. It's a caterpillar. A small, fuzzy, brown caterpillar.”
• Be on the look out. Spot interesting pictures and words in your child's books, in stores, or on street signs. Point to them. Use the new words in sentences again and again.
• Extend the conversation. Even when your child is too little to answer, engage him in conversation. If he says “moo,” you say, “Yes, moo! A cow says moo!”

Create a taste for language
Wherever you are—the bathtub, the dinner table, or the grocery store—experiment with fun and creative ways to teach your child new words. Simply stir her imagination … and watch her vocabulary grow!

For more information on how to turn simple everyday moments into learning moments, visit www.southsoundbornlearning.org.

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This article is provided by Born Learning, a national public awareness campaign sponsored in part by your local United Way of Thurston County. National sponsors are the United Way of America, Civitas, and the Ad Council. Born Learning provides parents and caregivers of young children tips on how to take advantage of learning opportunities that are prevalent in everyday life. For more information, visit www.BornLearning.org.

When you read to your baby...

Hold your little one on your lap and snuggle.
Use a lot of eye contact.
Use a "sing-song" voice, changing the volume, tone and pitch.
Smile, relax and enjoy!
Let your baby know you think books and reading are fun.
Your baby will appreciate books that are colorful, have interesting pictures, and will especially enjoy those that make sounds or have moving parts.

When you read to your toddler...

Engage your child in what you read by asking questions such as "What do you think will happen next?" and letting your child answer.
Ask your child to name the pictures, count the objects, or ask what colors are on the page.
Be sure to let your child respond, and praise their response.
Be very patient. Keeping the discussion going will keep your busy toddler interested!