Children’s initial understanding of language and communication comes from their parents. If you have a toddler at home, there are many fun and engaging ways to help your child develop the language skills they will use for the rest of their life. Make the following tips part of your child care routine to encourage language skills.

How to Promote Language Development in Your Toddler

1. Narrate Everything

Get into the habit of narrating and describing everything you do, such as “I’m cooking eggs for breakfast,” “We’re going to the grocery store,” and “Now we’re going to brush our teeth.” Point out objects as well, such as “That’s your teddy bear” and “That’s a cup of orange juice.” The more your toddler hears you and other family members talk, the more words they will absorb and try to repeat.

2. Take Walks

Go on walks whenever you can with your toddler around the neighborhood or through a local park. Point out the scenery as you go, such as plants, animals, houses, and everything else you see. Encourage your child to talk about objects that interest them, including the color of a particular flower or piece of jungle gym equipment at the park. Continue to praise your little one for communicating and simply repeat back any errors using the correct pronunciations or wording.

3. Read Together

Read at least one book a day as part of child care, starting with board books and eventually moving on to picture books, and always point out the images on the page, including animals, plants, people, and all other objects. As the child gets older and learns more words, ask them what the images on the pages are. If the toddler does not identify the object correctly, simply explain what the picture is while stressing what your child got right, such as “That animal does look like a cat because it has four legs and a tail, but it’s really a dog!” 

4. Listen to Music

Sing along to favorite tunes to introduce your child to language rhythms, which helps them retain information and improve listening skills. You can also choose from the many children’s songs designed to foster language development, including “Wheels on the Bus,” “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” “Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes,” and “Five Little Speckled Frogs.”

Help your toddler’s language development with child care services from Wilde Kingdom Early Learning Center in Fairfield, OH. Offering pre-kindergarten services, before-school care, and after-school care to children throughout the Tristate Area, including both Butler and Hamilton County, this star rated early learning center provides a safe environment for children to learn through play. Call (513) 563-9453 today with program questions or visit the website for child care information.