Adult life is busy. Parents have so many responsibilities when it comes to their child. Luckily, there are ways to incorporate language building directly into the routines of day-to-day life. Children learn language by hearing words, phrases, and sentences in context.

In this blog post, we will discuss ways to incorporate speech and language into activities of daily living for toddlers and preschoolers. Here are some simple scenarios in which you can help develop your child’s language:

During meal-time: 

• Narrate what you are doing using short phrases as you prepare the food.
  (e.g. “Cut the apple” or “Wash the plate” etc.)

• Label the food, drinks, and dishware at your table.

• Model verbs such as: “help”, “open” or “want”.

• Create opportunities for your child to request (e.g. keeping a preferred food item in a closed container, encouraging them to ask for “help” or “open”.)

• Make it fun! Practice speech sounds like “mmm” or “yuck” or “blah” or “nom nom”.

• Give a choice of 2 (e.g. “Do you want apples or grapes?”). Show your child the two choices as a visual aid!

• Add a word to theirs (e.g. If the child says “banana” model “yellow banana”, “want banana”, “yummy banana” etc.)

During bath-time:

• Narrate what you are doing using short phrases as you prepare the bath (e.g. “Turn the water on” “Add soap” etc.)

• Label the items and toys in the bath.

• Model verbs such as “splash”, “wash” or “pour”.

• Create opportunities for your child to request (e.g. holding the bottle of soap, encouraging them to ask for “more” bubbles.)

• Make it fun! Practice speech sounds like “pop” or “brrrr”.

• Give a choice of 2 (e.g. “Do you want the duck or the boat”). Show your child the two choices as a visual aid.

• Add words to theirs (e.g. If the child says “water” model “hot water”, “more water”, “soapy water” etc.)

During car rides:

• Narrate what you are doing using short phrases (e.g. “Turn it on”, “Stop the car”, “Buckle you in” etc.)

• Label the parts of the car, as well as what your see out the window.

• Model verbs such as “go” or “stop” or “turn”.

• Create opportunities for your child to request music given a choice of 2 (e.g. “Do you want Wheels on the Bus or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?”)

• Make it fun! Practice speech sounds like “vroom” or “beep beep”.

• Add words to theirs (e.g. If the child says “car” model “blue car”, “fast car”, “go car”, etc.)

CONCLUSION

There are a variety of ways to incorporate language in your child’s activities of daily living. Other scenarios in which you can model language using these strategies include potty time, dressing, playtime, grocery shopping, and bedtime. It is an easy extra step to take during routines you are already doing! As always, remember to keep the pressure low for the child, and make it fun!

- Lauren Price, M.S. CCC-SLP

About the Author: Lauren Price is a speech-language pathologist based in southeastern Pennsylvania working in a preschool early intervention program. Her words of wisdom for parents: “Life is busy, but the most valuable gift you can give your child is your time. Take time to play with them, sing with them, create with them, and read with them. These meaningful interactions will help your child grow!”