I'm looking for new ideas for my 24 month old daughter. I read to her a lot, and am constantly pointing out words/objects/people/shapes, we sing our ABCs and count, but I'm wondering what else other parents do at this age? My daughter is about average with her word knowledge, but I'd like to do everything possible to encourage her more. She still babbles a lot and although her Pedi says it's normal, I want to make sure she doesn't fall behind *later* (I have a nephew who is very behind for his age). Not trying to raise a super genius, but I would like some other ideas from other parents please!!
2007-08-13 14:39:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Just make sure you are reading a little bit to her from a really wide range of books. The thing that many parents don't notice is that we rarely speak to young children in complete sentences, it's true when you think about it. If you have in your bookshelf some nonfiction books about art, the history of religion, some medical textbooks, a couple on gardening, a volume of Lawrence's letters, and a bit of Shakespeare, read a paragraph to her now and then or whenever you feel like it of any of these, using plenty of emotion in your voice to make it interesting. I now have a son who's just turned four, and who has a habit now of running to the bookshelf at each mealtime or bathtime to pick out a book he wants me to read to him . . perhaps I've gone a bit too far but the love of reading and language is certainly present. And of course make it a weekly treat to go to your local library to pick out a new selection of books for her each week. Borrow some of the ones she chooses even though they will probably be too old for her or unsuitable, so she has experience in making her own choices. Good luck and may the heavens smile upon you for actively fostering your child's native intelligence.
2007-08-14 01:06:10 · answer #1 · answered by thunderboltsimone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep engaging in conversations with her. Say you're watching Sesame Street together. Interact with her while watching it. If the letter of the day is "L" ask her how many words she can think of that start with "L". After she's done, throw in words that she didn't think of...for example, say "love" and ask her to use that word in a sentence, or do it yourself...for example "love is another word that starts with the letter 'L'. Do you know how you can use that in a sentence?" then she may say "I love you!" and you could say "I love you too! And I love cute little puppies...little starts with 'L' too!" Things like that. Teach her words that have the same meaning. Example : big. What else means "big"? Huge, gigantic, tremendous, gargantuan, etc. My little brother usually said one of the latter words when describing something big. When driving, I'd point to a tree and say "wow! That's a big tree! How big is it Johnny?" and he'd say "gigantic" then I'd ask "what else?" and we'd go through the words one by one. Find different ways of describing things. Maybe take her shoe and ask different questions. "what type of shoe is this (sneaker, sandal, etc.)? What color is it? What is the part that you tie together (shoe laces)? etc. And if she asks "why" about something, give her full answers. My brother has a great vocabulary, so he never just asked "why", he'd ask "why are powerpoles so big?" "why don't we throw paper out the window?" "why can't I make a lot of noise?" etc. Don't just say "because", give her a full answer. And don't worry if she's not as advanced as some other children. She'll get there eventually. Kids develop at different rates.
2007-08-13 16:18:42 · answer #2 · answered by ArtsyRNmom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are doing everything right! I do mcuh of the same with my daughter, but it's also very difficult to keep her focused on ANYTHING for too long. I think that pretend play is a huge vocabulary source for her. For example, she has a house with all sorts of animals and people in it. We will play and "talk" with the people, putting then "nigh night~ shhhhh!" and "Let's eat eat eat!!!" We push them in the car, "bye car! Bye dog!" and repeat the word in a fun sing song voice. She always repeats, or tries to repeat me like this. I'm sure this would work with any type of play, but I find that as long as it's fun, and I'M having fun, my daughter is eager to participate.
I understand what you're asking, because I always worry if she is keeping up with other kids her age. I am amazed at how advanced she seems next to one kid, while she may seem behind compared to another. Each kid excels at something different, but as a mom, you always want to do your best to help them get there. Good for you :-)
2007-08-13 15:13:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are right on track. Also do a lot of singing different songs and when you point objects out to her ask her to say the word for you so she keeps working on words. Start teaching her to reconize letters too.
2007-08-13 14:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by emiliemai 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here's something I use:
Ask questions! Ask what letter she says, what animal she see, etc etc etc.
Sometimes small children just need to be asked the right questions. Also, make sure that you aren't overdoing it. Give her some space to make sure she has a chance to get a word in edgewise! (I only say this because I talk a LOT!)
2007-08-13 15:30:43 · answer #5 · answered by Vanessa P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How old is she? You are doing all the things we did/do, and our 19 month old has the language skills of a 2.5 year old according to the pedi.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things, IMO, you don't want to push her too hard.
2007-08-13 16:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by ladybmw1218 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like youre doing great! My fiance and I take care of his brother's daughter (i guess my soon to be niece) since they live 2 houses away...anyway, my fiance and I have been doing the same thing with her, but we also introduce words in different language (portuguese mainly since its my first language)...there are also lots of programs that you can buy for little kids to help them with just english. Hooked on Phonics was great when I was little, I loved it!
2007-08-13 17:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by sweetjadedtears 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
read alot of word books and point out a new word weekly and put alot of attention to that particular word u sound like a aw some mom good work
2007-08-13 15:28:48 · answer #8 · answered by ladysosureone 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just talk to her a lot. Engage her in conversation. Children reach a vocal peak on their own. Studies have shown this.
2007-08-13 14:47:40 · answer #9 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try going to walmart, compusa, best buy and purchase some type of vocabulary software for your computer. They really have some good software.
2007-08-13 14:48:36 · answer #10 · answered by correy j 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋