You could try one of these other activities that support language development, improve comprehension and enrich vocabulary. You could try these even on the busiest of days when you’re just not able to find those few quiet minutes to read. Or you could use them as ways to engage your child on the road or when you have a long wait ahead of you.
Listen to the news together.
This works best when you incorporate it into your routine. For example, our car’s radio station is almost always tuned in to NPR. So when we drop our children off at daycare or picking them up or running errands, we listen to the news or news-related discussions or at the very least, a traffic beat. Children enjoy these sessions almost as much as we do and has begun following the words and phrases being spoken very closely. Every time they hear a phrase or interesting word they are familiar with, ” Mommy, they say (that-phrase-I-know)” Sometimes, they ask them questions. “Why did they say that?” “Who is that talking?” I think this is a great way for kids to pick up language, pronunciation and general knowledge, even if they’re just a year old. Maybe you could switch between music and news or something else. Mix it up. Or have a schedule. The point is to encourage your baby to listen to words being spoken by different people, maybe with different accents or even in different languages. Try it at home as you fix dinner or get kids ready for school. Or turn on the radio instead of the television on alternate nights.
Read out and explain signs
As you walk or drive to a destination, point out to signs in front of you - store names, road signs, route numbers, posters on walls, advertisement hoardings - anything in print. Depending on their age, either explain what the signs mean or give them a chance to guess. If you have older kids just learning to read or more than one child with you, this could even turn into a non-competitive game during road trips, shopping trips or neighborhood walks. This helps keep them engaged and may help delay the inevitable “Are we there yet?” (Be sure to keep your eye on the road, of course!)
Introduce your child to different languages
If you speak more than one language at home or if you have family members coming from different cultures, now is the best time to expose your baby to those. Show her books that are written in a different language. Play music from other cultures. Listen to plays or the news in a different language. Encourage grandparents, uncles and aunts on both sides of your family tree to speak in their native tongue around your baby. While too many fragments of languages may confuse a baby, if you consistently speak in two languages at home, then in all likelihood your baby will pick them up with equal fluency and ease.
Have conversations
Baby talk is fine. And comes naturally to most of us when we’re around babies. It seems to delight babies and is a great way to get their attention. But, don’t limit your interactions with your baby to baby talk. Especially as she grows older. When your baby is a few months old, engage her in real conversations every once in a while. You could ask her which dress she’d like to wear or how her day at daycare was in a normal tone. Tell her about your day or where you’re going, who you’ll be meeting, what you’ll do at the park today…just everyday stuff that you might say to another adult. Use the same language and tone as you would when talking to a friend
Discuss books and stories
You don’t have to be reading to enjoy a favorite story. As you’re doing chores, driving, giving your baby a bath or going for a stroll in the park, recollect her favorite stories by narrating them yourself or by jogging her memory with questions or by making up songs. When you see a spotted dog on the street, you could exclaim, “Look there’s a dog that looks just like Spot in your book!” Or, if you happen to see a train, recollect a few lines or words from Freight Train or The Goodnight Train. Making associations with familiar objects helps reinforce concepts, words and stories continued
