Games for Toddler Language Development

Show Me

• Kids learn well by repetition and practice. Ask your child things such as "Where is your bed?'" or "Show me mommy's necklace." Any type of questions in which your child is engaged and involved will help with toddler language development. You may even choose to go one step further and ask your child to repeat what you have asked. Don't worry about your child getting bored as she will see this as a game that she enjoys playing.

Storybooks and Rhymes

• Children love to be read to so any type of simple fairy tale or nursery rhyme that they can memorize and repeat with you will be of help in building language skills. Putting these stories and rhymes to songs is another idea that will be useful. You can make this a game by adding hand movements and gestures to the words of the song and the rhyme such as in the "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Say Yes

• Games that require your child to say yes or no will not only help your child in language building, but will help to guide your children in how to make good choices. Ask them questions such as "Do you want some cereal?" or "Do you need to go potty?" It will probably not be long before you start hearing your child repeat these phrases.

Conversation

• Make conversation with your child a game by playing telephone or walkie-talkie. Use a play telephone or play walkie-talkies and encourage your child to have a conversation with you. You can teach your child proper phone etiquette while developing his language skills. Use hello and goodbye, and teach him to ask questions such as "How are you?"