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Tips & Articles for Preschoolers

Let’s Talk: Dos and Dont's

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Let's Talk: Dos and Dont's

User Ratings: *****

Hearing your child speak is one of the great thrills of parenthood. Here's how you can help the conversation begin!

Do...

    ...add information.
    Expand on your two-year-old's statements to boost vocabulary and grammar skills. If he says "horsey," you could reply with a full sentence: "It's a white horse."
    ...ask questions.
    Your child will enjoy responding to simple queries about recent activities. Ask: "Did you go to the park?" or "What did you have for lunch?"
    ...provide visual cues.
    Make a game of pointing to objects for which your toddler is learning names, and read plenty of colorful picture books together.

Don't...


    ...use baby talk.
    You might think you're encouraging your youngster by imitating his slipups. In fact, he's trying to reproduce the really words he hears, so you're actually confusing him.
    ...admonish your child.
    When your toddler mispronounces or misuses a word, don't correct her in an obvious manner. Repeat the word, saying it properly and using it in a sentence.
    ...finish his thoughts.
    If your child says, "I want...," don't barge in with options ("milk?" "juice?"). If he has to conquer language to have his needs met, he'll be motivated to learn.

Share Your Thoughts

Posted on: 9/30/2009 4:04 PM

Posted by: kashena r

City: lenoir

my son and i do most everything i try and get him to say what he thinking of and why its a must to have your child expand his mind and to let him know he wont be told to shut up when trying to say what he feels

Rated: *****

Posted on: 5/13/2009 11:35 AM

Posted by: Lisa S

City: Arkansas City

My daughter loves to try to find new things. odd bugs, different colors of flowers. we explore our backyard and find new things everyday. when she brings me a new thing i ask her what it might be, what color it is and what we should do with it. it is a great game and has her talking a mile a minute

Rated: *****

Posted on: 3/25/2009 7:24 AM

Posted by: Krystle P

City: Louisville

I love to read to my 2 and half year old son. He loves for me to read to him! Now when Im busy cleaning up or doing homework, I cant read with him I tell him to read it himself. He will read the book. Not actually But he talks about things that are going on in the picture. I smile when I see he is still interested in reading without me! He is growing up so fast.

Rated: *****

Posted on: 3/23/2009 6:51 PM

Posted by: Padmapriya G

City: Malden

I am definitely for reading colorful books which is one of the best thing to nurture their development skills. My 26 months old daughter loves to read lot of books. We make it a routine to read 3 different books everyday. She is very talkative and it is fun to watch her reading the books back to us in her sweet language, rain.. vain, round..vound :-

Rated: *****

Posted on: 3/21/2009 11:55 AM

Posted by: Laurie G

City: Mission, TX

I really agree with not barging in on thoughts. I have a 2yr son and I love listening to him complete a sentence. Same with counting, he can count objects to 20 already! :D

Rated: *****

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