Communication, Toddlers 18 Months-3 Years
kidsparents2 yearschild3 yearschildrenkid4 years1 yearfamilyGamesBright from the StartJill StammCommunicationfeelingseyeemotionsreadingsongbooklistensingbilinguallap readingexpresslanguagefine motor skillsattributesnamesreadleadtoddlet18 Months-3 Yearsvoicerhyming storiesTo do list from the book Bright from the Start, Jill Stamm, Gotham Books
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Talk frequently all day long, describing actions and objects that are encountered in the daily routine (while dressing, changing, feeding, shopping, clearing, preparing a meal, etc.).
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Modulate voice and facial expressions and vary intonation to match levels of enthusiasm, amotions and meaning.
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Emphasize eye-to-eye contact when talking directly to toddler to assure understanding.
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Use a second language naturalistically if you are bilinqual.
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Introduce music at different times throughout the day and sing simple songs.
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Hang photos for the toddler to look at while in a crib, carriage, car seat or on the floor to encourage early visual discrimination.
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Deliberately point out and label objects by their name (e.g., light switch, door, cupboard, dish, etc.).
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Deliberately point out and label simple attributes of objects (e.g., smooth, rought, ot, big, square, round, blue, red, stripped, wet, etc.).
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Deliberately point out objects that are the same, or different in one dimension {e.g., smooth/rough, hot/cold, big/little, up/down, over/under, open9shut, wet/dry, etc.).
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Deliberately label and discuss feelings (e.g. tired, hungry, happy, mad, hurt, etc.).
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Treat any signs of ear infections quick by getting medical help.
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Hold toddler and read plastic, cardboard, or cloth books daily in order to share new words and repeat reading familiar books that the baby enjoys,
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Frequently read rhyming stories or play with rhyming word with the baby, pointing out how/where words sound alike and sound different (e.g., rat, hat, sat, bat, etc.).
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Provide building blocks for stacking to foster eye-hand coordination needed for writing.
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Provide opportunities for the baby to pick up tiny pieces of bread, Cheerious, banana, etc.; for practise with fine motor skills.
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Introduce books with one or two sentences per page.
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Allow baby to turn pages of cardboard book.
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Play while reading (e.g., act silly by making animal sounds).
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Invite participation by asking, “What doeas the dog say?” or aks baby to point to real life objects pictured in his favorite books.
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Read the same book or story over and over.
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Hold baby close while reading.
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Make facial expressions while reading.
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At the end of this stage, begin simple music “lessons” on keyboard or violin.
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Sing favorite songs and introduce new songs that incorporate simple actions and movements that correspond (e.g., “The itsy bitsy spider”or “I’m a little teapot”).
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Promote reading print in the environment (restaurant signs and logos), food and product labels, and street signs.
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Ask open-ended questions (e.g. “What do you think will happen next?”).
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Read enthusiastically-take on different voices and experiences (e.g., The Three Little Pigs and the Wolf, Goldilocks and Three Bears, etc.).
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Follow toddler’s lead. Identify and discuss what toddler talks about. Find and read more books on those subjects.