Encouraging language from your child doesn’t have to be another thing added to your to-do list, it can be built into your everyday routines! Listed below are three common routines and ideas of how you can promote language growth in your daily routines.    

1. Bath Time

Use bath toys to engage in play with your child. Follow their lead by playing with the toys they choose. Talk about the toys and what both you and your child are doing with them. Remember that it is okay to have times of silence, you want to encourage turn-taking with your child! Imitate your child’s actions with the toys and introduce new actions yourself to encourage their imitation of you. Lastly and most importantly, have fun with your child! Make bath time a routine that they look forward to and can expect to be a fun time with mom/dad/caregiver! 

2. Bedtime 

Add book reading to your nightly bedtime routine. Choose children’s books that are at your child’s level and read for as long as your child can stay engaged. Repetitive books can encourage your child to participate in the “reading” when they learn the repeated phrase. Talk about the pictures by labeling objects, animals, people, etc., describe what you see using color, shape, size, etc., and ask your child simple wh- questions (what, where, who). As you read each page, point to the words that you are saying to let the child know that the words on the page correlate to the words you are saying. Let the child participate by turning each page. Be consistent with reading before bedtime so they start to expect this routine every night! 

3. Meal Time 

As you prepare your child’s meal, talk about and comment on what you are doing. For example you could say, “I’m cutting your sandwich,” “These grapes look yummy,” “I’m looking for the ketchup,” etc. Provide your child choices (as much as possible) to include them in this process. This encourages them to communicate with you at whatever level they are at (gazing, pointing, signing, speaking). While they eat, play with the food (as much as possible). Make the goldfish “swim,” make the chicken nuggets “jump,” make the grapes “dance.” Talk about what you are doing and encourage your child to play with you. Doing these things will make meal time a fun and engaging experience for the both of you!