Parentsplay a crucial role in the development of their children’s language and cognitive
skills. Research has shown that the more
exposure children have to verbal language, the more rapidly their skills will
develop. In addition, strong language skills support academic success,
especially reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
I’m often asked by parents for ideas to help
their children’s language develop. My #1
advice is to keep it fun! Spending time
together, talking, reading and playing in natural contexts are also key. Here are some verbal activities to support your
children’s language and intellectual growth.
their children’s language develop. My #1
advice is to keep it fun! Spending time
together, talking, reading and playing in natural contexts are also key. Here are some verbal activities to support your
children’s language and intellectual growth.
1. Make your own riddles that begin
with “Guess What?”: (“Guess what has four wheels and a trunk?”, “ Guess what has wings and is yellow and
black?”) Make sure your riddles include
categories (“a kind of fruit”), parts (“wings”), attributes (size/color/shape),
and function (“spins”, “flies”, etc.).
Including these in your riddles will help your child learn to make
associations and definitions as well as strengthen conceptual knowledge.
with “Guess What?”: (“Guess what has four wheels and a trunk?”, “ Guess what has wings and is yellow and
black?”) Make sure your riddles include
categories (“a kind of fruit”), parts (“wings”), attributes (size/color/shape),
and function (“spins”, “flies”, etc.).
Including these in your riddles will help your child learn to make
associations and definitions as well as strengthen conceptual knowledge.
2. Ask questions to strengthen memory: Have your child recall what they had for last night’s dinner or what birthday gift they received from Aunt Mary. For a further challenge, ask them to recall the steps they did to complete a task (“How did we make the cookies?”). Encourage the use of sequence words such as “first, next, then, last”.
3. Play “Which One Doesn’t Belong?”: Understanding how items are the same and different supports literacy skills. Start with three items (i.e., book, magazine, computer) and increase to four or five. Ask your child to explain why the item does not belong.
4. Add to the Category: Name three items that belong to the same category (i.e., table, chair, dresser) and have your child add to your category. A fun variation is to toss a beanbag or foam ball as you each name items in the category.
5. Follow Directions: Begin with two-step directions (“clap three times then sit down”) and progress to three- and four-step. This activity strengthens memory and language concepts.
6. Add to the Story: Build narrative skills, listening, and oral expression by making your own story. Start the story with one sentence (“Once upon a time there was a mouse who got lost in the woods.”) Take turns adding one sentence each to the story. Try to add simple story elements such as setting, character, problem and solutions.
7. Play “What If?”: Encourage problem solving and critical thinking with questions such as “What do you do if you are locked out of the house?”
8. Syllable Deletion: Build phonemic awareness skills by playing with sounds and syllables. Start with compound words by asking your child to “say cowboy”, “now get rid of boy, what’s left?” (cow). As your child gets the hang of this, try two syllable words and ask them to omit a syllable (“say ruler”, “now leave off -er, what’s left?”).
9. Finish It: “I like to…”, “I wish….”, “I want to learn how to…..”
10. Play “Yes, No, Sometimes”: Improve reasoning skills by presenting your child with sentences such as “The sky is blue”, “All doctors are men”, “Hot dogs are animals”.
