How to Make Learning Words Fun for Toddlers

Turn everyday tasks into teachable moments with your toddler.

Toddlers are quick to soak up every bit of information they can. They enjoy repeating behavior that they see in parents and other family members. Use this time to teach and reinforce words and concepts to your toddler using a variety of activities. Turn any daily activity into a learning experience. Do not expect mastery at this age, but focus on exposing your child to a variety of experiences.

Instructions

Around the House

1. Select a few common tasks around the house to include your toddler in. These could include washing dishes, sorting laundry or vacuuming.

2. Explain that he is going to be mom and dad’s helper. Toddlers aim to please trusted adults in their lives so it should be fairly easy to have your child assist you. If he is not cooperative, try asking again later in the day. Learning should be fun so do not push a learning activity if your toddler is not eager to do it.

3. As you are going about your household task, explain exactly what you are doing. Do not be afraid to overexplain. Your toddler loves hearing you talk to him.

4. Pick out a few key items to teach your child. If you are washing dishes, let him climb up on a stool to watch or help you. Show him a bowl, plate, fork and spoon. Ask him to repeat the words to you as you show him each item. While sorting laundry you can teach your toddler light versus dark clothes or talk about specific colors. Again, show your child a color and ask him to repeat the word to you.

5. End the activity on a successful note. It is important to keep these teachable moments fun. Do not wait until he is uncooperative. Pay close attention to when your child ready to move on to another activity.

6. Repeat the activity on another day. Show him each object that you worked on the previous time and see if he remembers the words to match the object. Do not worry if he does not correctly name each object. Just repeat the task again and the learning will come quickly.

At the Grocery Store

1. Tell your child what you are doing as soon as you get him into the shopping cart. Explain what each department of the grocery store stocks.

2. Talk about a couple fruits and vegetables in the produce department. Show your child the item, talk about the color and ask him to repeat the name and color of each object. Keep doing this in each department of the grocery store.

3. Involve all of your child’s senses. In the freezer isle talk about the concept of cold and have your child say if an item is "cold" or "warm." Gently feel the fruits and vegetables to teach the words "rough" and "smooth." Talk about the word “soft” when picking out a loaf of bread.

4. Teach basic sign language to your toddler as he explores each grocery item. Young children pick up on signs fairly quickly and it will help reinforce the name of each item. Now your child will have a visual picture of the item, a verbal word to match it and a sign that involves physical movement to teach each word.

5. When you get home, taste the foods that you talked about while shopping at the store. Review the name of each food as well as other words that describe the objects.

References

• Kid’s Health; Toddlers; Learn by Playing
• North Kansas City Schools; "Using Sign Language and Fingerspelling to Facilitate Early Literacy Skills"; Marilyn Edmunds & Debra Krupinsky
• Family Education: Kitchen Helper
• Teach ESL to Kids: "Use Simple Language When Teaching Toddlers"; Shannon Sensei
• Baby Centre: "Helping Your Toddler to Talk"; Penelope Leach