• Say what you are doing, where you’re going, and what will happen next. "I'm heating up your formula because you are hungry! You will eat soon."

• Say the names of things you see. "I see papa's car, papa's blue car, here comes papa"

• Use big facial expressions when talking to your baby

• Look your baby in the eyes and copy his sounds and actions. Wait for him to respond back!

• Say things in that high pitched, singsong way that comes naturally when you talk with babies.

Mini Master Class on Baby Talk from Unicef

• Get face to face so you can look your toddler in the eyes when you talk. Try mirroring each other.

• Have back and forth conversations, even if he doesn’t have many words yet. Say your part and wait for his response.

• Label people in photos on your phone or in albums, "This is Auntie Sue and Grandma.” Later, ask your child, “Who's that?", and wait for him to answer.

• Talk about what is happening in a book besides the words as written. "Do you see the lion?" Pause. "The lion is jumping high!”

• Describe groceries as you put them away or while cooking, "This is a pineapple. It tastes sour and sweet!"

7 ways to build your child’s vocabulary

• Say feeling words and what they mean. You're feeling frustrated, you can't get your shoes on. Frustrated is when you try to do something and it is hard for you."

• Ask questions that have more than a “yes” or “no” answer. "What is your favorite ice cream flavor?" Follow up with who, what, where, when, why, or how questions.

• Teach vocabulary. Explain what the new word means and repeat it often. “Drizzle is when it rains just a little bit. It’s drizzling outside right now.

• Say and sound out letters when you see them. "Here we are at Kroger. Kroger name starts with the sound k, k, k, that's the letter K."

• Learn about your child's interests.

   

Communicating with your child

• Take advantage of car rides. Turn off the radio and talk. Try openers like, "What has been the best part of your day so far? Did you wish something was different?"

• Play the favorite game. “What are your three favorite movies? Why do you like those the best?” Then, have him ask you your favorite of something else. Try it with the least favorite too.

• Encourage conversation and really listen. Try not to ask too many questions or give a lot of corrections. Be interested and open to his ideas.

• Ask about his day but be specific. Try, "What did you do first after lunch today?"

Speaking & Listening