Toddlers (12– 35 months old) who attend daycares or nursery schools in Bethesda MD, are in the developmental stage of becoming capable, curious children. This is why learning to communicate verbally is important during this age. To promote and encourage their communication skills, it's a good idea to practice certain activities that foster communication between you and your kid. Here are some fun ways to try to incorporate at home.
1. Make sounds with different items
For this activity, the goal is to speak into an object (empty toilet rolls are ideal for this) and let your toddler see how their voice sounds different. This activity makes little ones aware of how sounds can change and is also a fun way to practice their words and senses. Make sure to use any type of object with two open ends. You can experiment with plastic bottles or metal cans to explore a variety of sound effects.
2. Play with animal sounds
You can use animal flashcards or plastic toys to ask your child what sound the animal makes. This activity can be extended by visiting a petting zoo, where children can connect the sounds with real-life animals. There are also some great animal books for children this age to help them learn and recognize different animals and their sounds, such as "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, which combines illustrations with repetitive text to reinforce learning through repetition and rhythm. You can ask teachers at their daycares or nursery schools in Bethesda MD, to give you a list of other books that can support their learning.
3. Name colors and body parts
Similar to the one above, this one is to reinforce the concept of body parts and colors. The idea is to point to a body part and ask your child what it is. To make it more interactive, turn it into a game by using stickers and asking your child to place them on the correct body parts or color-match them to objects around the house. You can make it musical by singing songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to combine movement with learning. Making it a multisensory experience will help strengthen vocabulary through sound and action.
Encouraging children to use verbal communication from a young age is an important step in their overall development. During their time spent at daycares or nursery schools in Bethesda MD, teachers will model appropriate language and behavior, to create a respectful environment where trust, self-esteem, autonomy, communication, and teamwork are represented. However, it's also key to help them grow at home by opening them up to as many different voices and words as possible. Playing games and encouraging conversation are fantastic tools to give them a head start in their early years and encourage verbal communication. Contact us today to learn more about our daycare for infants and toddlers.
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