Using everyday activities to create a language rich environment 

Many language concepts can be easily incorporated into everyday activities at home.  Below are some activities and tips to target various language skills.

CATEGORY SORT

• While putting away groceries talk about the categories each item fits into. (fridge/pantry/freezer; fruits/vegetables/grains). 

• While cleaning up your house, ask your child to pick up 3 items in the same category.  (stuffed animals, cars, dolls, balls, etc). Talk about why the item fits into a particular category. 

• Gather items from places in the house, and sort by which room they would go in (comb, spoon, shirt).

IDIOMS, SIMILES, METAPHORS

• Look for figurative language while reading books. Discuss the meaning of the phrase. 

• Fun books for kids with figurative language:  Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish, Parts and  More Parts by Ted Arnold.

WH QUESTIONS

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW

• After reading a short story, ask WH questions to help with comprehension.

• During and after making a recipe, sequence the steps and ask WH questions.

• Take turns asking each other get to know you questions.

DESCRIBING

• Look around the house and take turns describing objects in the room. 

• Make a favorite recipe and describe what it looks/feels/tastes like.

• Go on a walk outside and collect objects (rocks, woodchips, grass, feathers, pinecones). Describe how they feel (hard, soft, sticky, prickly).

• Compare and contrast 2 items. Find ways the objects are similar and different.

• The concept of describing is built into many common games such as I SPY, Guess Who and Headbandz.

VERBS

• Look through photos and describe what is happening in the picture. Explain to your child the difference between present and past tense verbs. Practice using them in a sentence. (ex. She is jumping on the tramp. We hiked to the top of the mountain. I bought a cool shirt.).

• Describe past experiences and future plans you have. Explain to your child the difference between present and past tense verbs. Practice using them in a sentence. (Yesterday, we went to the zoo. Tomorrow we will go swimming. ) 

STORY RETELL

• Recall an experience (birthday party, vacation, holiday etc.). Help your child incorporate all the elements of a story while they retell the experience. 

  1. 1. • characters, setting, problem, emotion, action, ending, end feeling

INFERENCING

• While watching the story, pause the video clip to predict what might happen next, identify emotions, cause & effect, etc.