LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
The idea of babies and toddlers talking and reading can seem incredible, but language and literacy skills start early—before birth. Watching your child and learning how he communicates through sounds, facial expressions, and gestures are all important ways to help him learn about language and the written word. It isn’t necessary to “teach” very young children. Formal classes and other activities that push babies and toddlers to read and write words do not help their development or make them do better in school. Early language and literacy skills are learned best through everyday moments with your child—reading books, talking, laughing and playing together. Children learn language when you talk to them and they communicate back to you, and by hearing stories read and songs sung aloud. Children develop early literacy skills when you give them the chance to play with and explore books and other written materials like magazines, newspapers, take-out menus, markers, and crayons.
Birth-12 months:
- Describe your baby’s feelings and experiences. For example, when you see that he is hungry, you can say: You are nuzzling at my shirt. You’re telling me you’re hungry. Okay, your milk is coming right up! Although your baby won’t understand your words right away, your caring, loving tone of voice and actions will make him feel understood. And hearing these words over and over again will help him come to understand them over time.
- Copy your baby’s sounds and encourage him to imitate you.
- Put words to his sounds: I think you want to tell me about the doggy over there. Look at that doggy. Hi, doggy!
- Sing songs you know or make up songs about your baby (Happy bathtime to you, happy bathtime to you, happy bathtime, sweet baby, happy bathtime to you.) You don’t have to be on key or be good at carrying a tune. Babies don’t judge—they love hearing your voice.
- Play peek-a-boo. This simple turn-taking game is good practice for how to have a conversation later on. Try hiding behind a book, a pillow or a scarf. You can also play peek-a-boo by holding your baby in front of a mirror and then moving away from your reflection. Move back in front of the mirror and say, “peek-a-boo!”
- Play back-and-forth games. Hand your baby a rattle or soft ball. Then see if she will hand it back to you. See if you can exchange the toy a few times. This “back-and-forth” is practice for having a conversation later on.
- Read lots of books. Reading together helps your baby develop a love of reading and a familiarity with books. Reading aloud also helps your baby’s vocabulary grow as he has many chances to hear new words and learn what they mean.
- Use books as part of your baby’s daily routines. Read before naptime or bedtime. Share books made of plastic at bath time. Read a story while you are waiting for the bus. Bring books to the doctor’s office to make the time go faster.
- Read with gusto. Use different voices for different characters in the stories you read to your baby. Babies love when adults are silly and it makes book reading even more fun.
- Let your baby “read” his own way. Your baby may only sit still for a few pages, turn the pages quickly or only want to look at one picture and then be done. He may even like to just mouth the book, instead of read it! Follow your baby’s lead to make reading time a positive experience. This will nurture his love of literacy from the start.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat. Babies learn through repetition because it gives them many chances to “figure things out.” When babies tell you they are interested in a book or even in a picture in a book, give them as long as they want to look at the picture or to hear the story over and over.
12-36 months:
- Engage in conversations with your child about everyday activities, describing what you are doing and what they are doing.
- Sing familiar songs and nursery rhymes and encourage your child to sing along.
- Play "Name the Thing": Point to objects and ask your child to name them, helping them build vocabulary.
- Make animal sounds: Cut out pictures of animals and have your child mimic the sounds they make.
- Read aloud frequently: Choose age-appropriate books and read them with expression, pointing to pictures and words.
- Use gestures and sounds: Pair words with gestures and sounds to help your child understand and remember new words.
- Encourage turn-taking: Play games that involve taking turns, such as peek-a-boo or patty-cake.
- Make books about your child: Create a book with pictures and words about your child's life and interests.
- Point out letters and words: Show your child letters and words in books, signs, and everyday objects.