Language Development

            Toddlers need to have as many words as we can give them.  When we talk to them and with them about what is happening in their world using descriptive words we are helping them to understand our language.  They will pick up definitions of words by how we use those words.  The only way they know a cup is by using the word and showing them how it works.  By describing what is going on around them, toddlers will be given real-world words by the adults that care for them.   When we ask open-ended questions - questions that require responses other than yes or no -   children are given the opportunity to respond and use those words they have learned (healthychildren.org, 2006).   We also need to teach toddlers words about emotions and how to express themselves, then they will be able to communicate what they feel more easily.

           Reading books to toddlers is one of the most important things any adult can do for a child.  By age two, most toddlers will have a vocabulary of 200-300 words if they have positive, rich conversations with adults and other children and age-appropriate books read to them.  They will, also, understand around 700 words and begin putting sentences together (urbanchildinstitute.org, 2017).  Aid in their language development by reading aloud to them at least 15 minutes each day (readaloud.org, 2017).  The more you do it, the easier it is.  Be excited and be silly - they love to hear voices change and faces made!  Nursery rhymes and finger plays are important to learn that reading has rhythm.  Picture books are an easy way to talk with your toddler.  Just talk about the pictures on the pages and bring the book to life!  But no matter what you do - make reading a routine part of your and your toddler's day!  

           Remember, the more words we give them, the more they will be able to express themselves.  This will help in so many ways as toddlers get frustrated, angry, excited, and all of the other emotions that are just pinging away inside their busy little bodies all day every day. 
           How many books have you read to your child(ren) today?  Were they appropriate for the age of the child?  Did you change your voice and "act out" the book?  Were you self-conscious about be silly as you read or sang or did nursery rhymes and poems?

           If you have any comments or questions, please let's talk!  I would love to know more about you and your toddler(s)!

Read to them and Toddler on!

Healthychildren.org. (2015). Healthy Children. Playing is How Toddlers Learn. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/fitness/Pages/Playing-is-How-Toddlers-Learn.aspx

Readaloud.org (2017). Readalound.org. The School of You. Retrieved from http://www.readaloud.org

Urbanchildinstitute.org. (2017). Baby’s Brain Begins Now: Conceptions to Age 3. Retrieved from http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/why-0-3/baby-and-brain