Developing Language and Literacy in Little Ones

This information was provided by Emily Farr, SLS and found on the website www.Zerotothree.org.

Parent-Child Activities to Promote Language and Literacy 

• Go on a name safari.  Walk around your house or neighborhood with your toddler.  Point out and name different objects.  Encourage your child to repeat the words after you.  Ask your child where he wants to go next and follow his lead.  See if he points to "ask" you what an object is. 

• Make an animal book.  Cut pictures of animals from magazines or take photos of animals in your neighborhood (cats, dogs, birds, etc.).  Glue these pictures to sturdy 4x6 index cards.  Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each card and tie them together with a short piece of yarn.  Show your toddler each page, name the animal, and make its sound.  Which animal is your child’s favorite?  Which animal sound can he make first? 

• Play “can you find…”  Toddlers enjoy helping out.  Give your child a simple task: Go get your shoe.  Make sure the object is in sight.  As her receptive language (the words she understands) grows, you can ask your child to get a familiar object that is not in sight:  Can you find your dump truck.  This is a great way to help your toddler learn new words and to listen and follow directions. 

12-24 months

Young toddlers are little scientists. They are eager to figure out how everything works.  This makes the second year an exciting one, as children really begin to venture out into the world to explore, discover, and learn. 

One of the things that make this year so much fun is that toddlers are becoming more and more effective at communicating.  (In fact, “No!” becomes a favorite word and a powerful way to assert their independence.)  By the end of their second year, they will even be making simple sentences, like “more milk” or “want that”.  Toddlers have minds of their own, and strong feelings and preferences that they express with gusto.  This is the time when your child might develop a favorite story they want to hear over and over, or a favorite game or toy they want to play nonstop.

  

24-36 months

So much is happening as your child begins her third year! She may be participating in a preschool or child care program and building a relationship with her teacher or caregiver. She is probably making new friends. She is also showing you how capable and independent she is by doing lots of things for herself, like learning to put a jacket on or help with tasks like setting the table.

Reading together is one important way you can help your toddler make the transition from baby to big kid.  Language development also soars at this age, as children are using words to express their thoughts and feelings.  In the third year, you will continue to see a big jump in your child’s thinking skills. She will start to appreciate humor and jokes.  She will show her creativity and her problem-solving skills as she plays and interacts with you.  And, while tantrums may not disappear entirely, your toddler is also developing more self-control and coping skills as she grows.   

All ages:

Remember:  If your child is interested and involved in an activity—and having fun—he is learning!  It isn't necessary to “teach” very young children.  Formal classes and other activities that push toddlers to learn concepts before they are ready do not help their development or make them do better in school. In fact, they can even make children feel like failures when they are pushed to do something they can’t succeed at or don’t enjoy.  So treasure these days of playing, exploring, and cuddling with your little one—it is exactly what she needs to grow and learn.