Did you know your child’s brain undergoes an amazing period of growth and development in their first three years of life? This period is so critical for building connections and language learning. Your baby’s early experiences truly matter! So if you’re wondering what activities you can be doing to support your baby or toddler, I’m glad you’re here! I love teaching families simple activities you can embed in your day-to-day routines to help give you confidence and joy when interacting with your little one.

3 Simple Language Activities for your Baby or Toddler:

Talk to your Baby or Toddler:

Talking to your little one has SO many benefits. When you talk to your baby or toddler you’re helping them make sense of the world. You’re also helping build their understanding of and adding meaning to the words you’re using. This is an essential step before children use words!

• TIP: Narrate what you do throughout your day within your routines and play! Talk about what you or your child are doing, looking at, playing, touching, or eating! Use short, simple phrases and repeat key words again and again!

Explore and Read Books with your Baby or Toddler :

Using books is another way to support your baby or toddler’s speech and language development as well as their emergent literacy skills! You can begin interacting, exploring and reading books with your baby at birth. We really want to instill a love for reading and make it a positive experience for them.

We can do this by:

• Reading everyday (you can create a nap/bedtime routines with books)
• Display books around your house so they’re easily accessible
• Keep it fun! Be animated and engaging! (it’s okay if you don’t finish the whole book or if your little one is on the move!)
• Read for short periods of time & take breaks when necessary

Sing Songs & Rhymes with your Baby or Toddler:

Using songs & rhymes are so beneficial for all children! They’re a great way for you to bond with your little one and your littles love hearing your voice (no matter what you think you sound like!). When we sing we naturally use “parentese,” which is a high-pitched, slow, exaggerated sing-songy voice. This helps increase your child’s awareness of your voice and draws their attention to you. Songs are repetitive, providing many opportunities for your little one to see your actions and hear your words again and again!

• TIP: Singing songs during difficult transitions or within your routines (e.g., mealtimes, getting dressed, etc.) can help build your child’s understanding what to expect! Singing is also FUN and is another form of play, known as “people games” that you and your baby or toddler can enjoy together!