Language - Week 7 #1

My son very recently turned two years old and boy-oh-boy is ever TWO. The attitude, independence and even the defience have come through. Having all three of these traits trying to come out through one little being can be frustrating for both the little one and bigger ones trying to care for the little ones. However, I feel that, even though two isn't always fun, I don't have it as bad as others. My son talks - A LOT! He will express his needs or wants - even if it comes out in a scream. Even though he is very verbal, I always wonder if I should be doing more to help his development. Reading, talking, singing - all things I do, but is there more?

The article "Language" published by the National Center for Infants, Toddlers & Families provides tips and hints at helping to develop language in children from zero to three. Below you will find a few of these tips.

• Talk together.
•  Done - We talk all of the time! In the car, on bike rides, playing trucks, shopping,sitting at the dinner table - you name! However, this is also the tip that I see most people ignoring. I can't even tell you how angry it makes me when I see people that just don't talk to their children because "they aren't old enough to understand what we say anyway."
• Notice the number, size, shape and color of the things around you.
• My son was recently at my school and he decided to be best buddies with the preschool teacher. She was amazed that when we went to walk up the stairs, my son immediately said one, followed by a step, two, followed by a step, and so one - at least to three =) We talk about colors and shapes all the time! He can tell you that green is what color Papa's (Grandpa's) tractor is, Daddy and Mommy have black cars, and Grandma drives a red Rab (Rav). Again, simple things that can be taught by just talking.
• Offer toddlers choices.
• I don't agree with offering choices that are not safe or healthy for your child, but every day I pick out two outfits and let my son choose. It takes no time at all and again it is an opportunity to talk. Do you want the red Mickey shirt or the green tractor shirt. He answers and then waits to be changed. Do you want crackers or pretzels? He answers and then gets his own bowl. Simple, simple choices!
• Ask them to help out with "big kid" tasks.
• This is the one that my son loves the most!!! Sweeping, dusting, mopping, loading the dishwasher, putting laundry into the washer or into the dryer. He always wanted to know what Mommy and Daddy were working on and we would answer and he would respond with the word "help". Now he will say, "Me help sweep." Off he goes to the broom closet and pulls out his own mini broom.

After reading the article and the many more tips, I feel that I am doing my job. His vocabulary and comprehension grows on a daily basis. I just encourage other parents to TALK to their children from day one! Tell them what you are doing, what they are doing, just talk. Don't baby talk, just talk. Develop the skills at an early age!!

National Center for Infants, Toddlers, & Families. "Language".  Accessed 04 Aug 2014. http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer;jsessionid=07F74DEA7C6A6A7F425C2ADEF726BA7B.app267d?pagename=ter_par_2436_language_what