Language Development

“Who, What, Where, When, & Why” “Wh” questions include:  What,...

“The Long And The Short Of It” Select 2 of the same items that are...

“Less Is Less” & “More Is More” This technique can be used when...

“Navigating Home-Sweet-Home” Take your child on a “tour” of the house. ...

“Like Two Peas In A Pod” Your child’s ability to group is very important...

“The Same, But Only Different” Talk about how objects are the same and...

“Jumbo Shrimp?” Help your child locate items around the house and...

“The Whole Is More Than The Sum Of Its Parts” Verbalize to your child as...

“Actions Speak Louder Than Words”  (But Words Describe Actions) Verbs are...

“Color My World” Start with primary colors (e.g., Red, Orange, Yellow,...

“Finding Purpose” One of the first object associations children make is...

“Where Is It?” The words that define relationships in space are called...

“Don’t Make Me Guess, Is It No Or Yes?” During your child’s play...

“Know Thyself” Play fun, interactive games with your child while pointing...

“Sharing Is Caring” “Plug In” and go along with what your child is...

“Talkin’ Up A Storm” Children learn to understand word labels when they...

“Music Soothes Savage Beasts (Including Kids)” “Let go” while playing...

“Where Is That Noise Coming From?” Children often search for a sound...

“Did You Hear Something?” When a child focuses their attention on a sound...

“I Said No!” Firmly say “No” when your child is touching or doing...

“Hey, What’s This For?” Normal daily routines allow many opportunities to...

Imitating Then Initiating Waving “Ride The Wave (Then Make Waves)” Hellos...

“Born To Hand Jive Baby” Your child learns new skills by observing others...

“1, 2 Buckle Your Shoe, (Then Put On Your Coat, and Finally, Go Fly A...

“One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe (Then Put On Your Coat)” Once your child has...

“Take (and follow) One Step At a Time” Include your child in daily...

“Because I Said So!” Engage your child in conversations frequently...

“I Know I Shouldn’t Compare, BUT…” Collect objects, pictures, toys, etc....

“But Why??????” Explain to your child why we do things (e.g., why we eat,...

“When The Moon Hits The Sky Like A Big Pizza Pie…” Use descriptive words...

“Have Any?  How Many?” Approach your child with multiple objects that are...

“Quantum Leap” Present your child with multiple objects at one time....

“Yours, Mine & Ours” Ask your child questions throughout the day...

“Now You’re Talk-ING” Talk to your child about daily experiences and...

“The Art of Conversation:  Con (meaning with) Verse (as in poetry)” Give...

“I Remember When . . . ” Provide your child with meaningful,...

“And Then What Happened?” Talk to your child about day to day...

“Tell Me A Story” Read your child books over and over again.  Leave out...

“It’s in the Past” Elicit the use of past tense by asking your child...

“Speak Your Heart” Label emotions as they relate to various situations....

“Which Way Is Up?” During play activities, place your child’s blocks on...

“Name, Rank, and Cereal Number”   Talk on the play telephone with...

“Name Calling” Organize your child’s toys into categories by placing them...

“This is Howard Cossell, Welcome to the Wide World of Play” Encourage...

“And You Are?” Use proper nouns and pronouns when looking at photographs...

“There Is No Such Thing As A Stupid Question” Ask your child questions...

“That’s A Fine How-Do-Ya-Do!” During the course of your child’s day, wave...

Learning Yes and No: Use simple and consistent words. Follow your own...

Interjecting Words with Intonations to Sing Familiar Songs: Recite your...

(No stretching necessary) Children naturally love music.  It is a very...

Use MIRRORS: Children enjoy looking at their reflection in the...

Use a video camera during play activities, then watch your child “light...

When looking at books with your child, talk bout what’s on the page and...

Don’t let the cat get your child’s tongue If you don’t ask, he won’t...

By giving your child the chance to make choices you are creating an...

“What do you expect?” Set unrealistic expectations and your child may...

“You could say that again (and then some)” A technique known...

Praising your child for something he has said or done will build...

It is often a Mystery (Mr. “E”) why children Mispronounce (“Miss...

Your child is touching, seeing and walking; Describe it and you are...

Announce what you see, do, feel and hear, use “Parent-ese” when your...

Keep It Simple Simon Talking to your child will help increase his...

Reading is an interactive based activity where one creates meaning and/or...

Delay your response to your child’s gestures A child’s first words are...

If money grew on trees would you be motivated to work as hard as you do...

“And If That Mocking Bird Don’t Sing, Mama’s Gonna Get a Baby-Talk...

“Animal House” Animal sounds are often easiest for children to make...

“Can I Have Some?  Can I Have Some?  Can I Have Some?” The word more is a...

“Use Your Pointer, Sister” Pointing is the most basic and simplest means...

“Speak Up And Be Heard” Children use the name you choose for them for...

“Mama Baba” Early on, children become aware that their voices and sounds...

The “No” Way The word no indicates refusal, rejection or disapproval ...

“Reach For The Sky” Gestures are an important means of nonverbal...

“Are You Talking To Me?” Establish and maintain eye contact when talking...

“Hey, Over Here!” During infancy, children coo and then begin to vocalize...

“Waa Or Waaaa?” From a very early age, children have a distinguishable...

“Baby You’re A Laugh Riot” Language occurs gradually through interaction...

“Baby, that was so nice, please, please say that twice!” Once vocal play...

Givin’ & Takin’; Takin’ & Givin’ From birth, your child is...

“And you are…?” Use your child’s name frequently while making eye contact...

“Hey, Look at me when I call you!” Call your child’s name frequently as...