Tips for Preschool Home Practice

Ideas for increasing language during daily routines

When time is available and your child is not feeling rushed or overwhelmed, these ideas can help increase to your child's expressive language. These simple activities include wait time and cueing hierarchies which are strategies for increasing expressive language in children.

Start off with trying to get one word or sound from your child then you can probe for your child to say longer statements by withholding items, modeling how you want him to ask for the items and waiting to give him what he wants until he makes a statement.

At the sink: while washing hands, brushing teeth, etc.

Goal: Using words to request 1. Place your child in front of the sink like you are going to wash his hands or help him brush his teeth 2. Instead of turning on the water, place your hand on the knob and wait 3. If he doesn't request, say "we need to turn the water on first.” a. If he says any word to request, then turn on the water and proceed to wash hands or brush teeth 4. If he doesn't request, say "water on?” a. If he repeats your phrase or says any word to request, then turn on the water and proceed to wash hands or brush teeth 5. If he doesn't request or becomes overly frustrated, say “we need to turn the water on. I'll turn it on now” and proceed to turn on the water to wash hands or brush teeth.

At the table: while eating a meal or snack

Goal: Using words to ask for help 1. Place a food item in a container that is difficult for him to open without assistance 2. Place the container with food in it on the table in front of him 3. Wait to see if he asks for your help to open the container 4. If he doesn't, say "I can help you open that if you want” a. If he says any word to request, then praise and open the container for him to get food items out of 5. If he doesn't respond, say "help open?” a. If he repeats your phrase or says any word to request, then turn on the water and proceed to wash hands or brush teeth 6. If he doesn’t ask for help or becomes frustrated, say "I will help you. I'm helping you open the container” and proceed to open the container and give him one food item or all items depending on if you would like to repeat the process Goal: Using words to request a food/drink item 1. Give your child a choice between two items to drink or eat 2. Give him the names of each item (e.g., "do you want juice or soda?" or "do you want crackers or chips") 3. Wait until he responds with a word, gesture or pointing (depending on the language level) to give him the food/drink of his choice 4. If he does not make a choice, guide his hand toward the food item he is looking at and reinforce the name of the item by repeating it (e.g., “you want chips. yummy, these chips look good!).

Parents play a critical role in a child's language development. Studies have shown that children who are read to and spoken with a great deal during early childhood will have larger vocabularies and better grammar than those who aren't. Here are some simple ways to nurture your baby's language development.

1. Talk, talk, talk. Narrate the day as it evolves. Tell your child, for instance, "Now we're going to take a bath. Can you feel the warm water on your belly? When we dry off, we'll get dressed and take a walk."

2. Read, read, read. It's never too early to read to your baby. One good predictor of future reading success is the amount of time parents spend reading with their child. Parents can start with simple board books and graduate to picture books and longer stories as their child gets older. Story times at the local library or bookstore can also help a preschooler develop a love of books.

3. Enjoy music together. Young children love music and movement. When they listen to lively songs, like "Old McDonald Had a Farm," they learn about the world around them and the rhythm of language.

4. Tell stories. Make up elaborate stories with characters, conflict, adventure, and a happy ending. Be sure that the stories fit your child's interests and aren't too scary for her liking.

5. Follow your child's lead. If your little one seems interested in a particular picture in a book, keep talking about it. If she seems intrigued by a boat, show her more boats and talk about them, too. Repeat her babbles back to her, ask questions, and interact with her. You can even try recording your child on a tape recorder and playing it back.

6. Never criticize your child's articulation or speech patterns. Instead, repeat his statements back to him with the correct pronunciation or word usage. Give your child lots of praise for his efforts.

7. Use television and computers sparingly. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 2 not watch television at all, and that children 2 and older view no more than two hours of quality programming a day. While some educational programs can be beneficial to kids, TV shows don't interact with or respond to children, which are the two catalysts kids need to learn language. Computer games are interactive, but they aren't responsive to a child's ideas.

8. Treat ear infections thoroughly. Children in group child-care situations are more prone to ear infections, which can put them at risk for hearing loss and, consequently, language delays. If your pediatrician prescribes an antibiotic to treat an infection, make sure your child takes the correct dosage each day and uses it for the full prescribed time. When your child finishes the prescription, schedule a follow-up visit with your pediatrician to make sure the infection has cleared.

9. Go on field trips. A trip to the zoo, the aquarium, or a children's museum will open up a whole new world for your child. As an added bonus, she'll want to learn the names of all those fascinating creatures and fun activities she experienced.

Helpful Parent website:

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