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talking

Talking with your child helps build language and vocabulary skills.


Give your child a toy telephone...

Game: Telephone Talk

Related to: Telling a Story, Talk

Give your child a toy telephone...

Make pretend soup...

Game: Silly Soup

Related to: Telling a Story, Talk

Make pretend soup...

Encourage play by supplying dress-up clothes...

Game: Make Believe

Related to: Telling a Story, Talk

Encourage play by supplying dress-up clothes...

Ask your toddler, "How do we move?"...

Game: How Do We Move?

Related to: Knowing Words, Talk

Ask your toddler, "How do we move?"...

Teddy bear says, touch your toes...

Game: Teddy Bear Says

Related to: Knowing Words, Talk

Teddy bear says, touch your toes...

Start off with one line of a story...

Game: The Story Train

Related to: Telling a Story, Talk

Start off with one line of a story...

Once your child starts talking...

Game: Naming, Labelling and Sorting

Related to: Knowing Words, Talk

Once your child starts talking...

Ask your child to tell you a story using puppets...

Game: Puppet Show

Related to: Telling a Story, Talk

Ask your child to tell you a story using puppets...

Touch your nose and say...

Game: My Turn, Your Turn

Related to: Knowing Words, Talk

Touch your nose and say...

Engage your child in sorting and folding...

Game: What Goes Together

Related to: Knowing Letters, Talk

Engage your child in sorting and folding...

talking Tips

  • Wordless picture books are great for practising narrative skills. By giving children a chance to tell a story in their own words, they build their storytelling skills and are encouraged to use descriptive language. Search for “stories without words” on the library website.
  • When your child babbles or talks, listen carefully and answer. Even if you don't know what he means or he doesn't have the words to answer, talk to your child and ask him lots of questions.
  • When your child tells a story, use plenty of praise and support. Your child may “talk your ear off” and ask endless questions starting with “why.” Encourage this curiosity and interest.

Six skills that get your child ready for reading

  • Liking Books

    Children who enjoy books will want to learn to read.

  • Hearing words

    Hearing the smaller sounds in words helps children sound out written words.

  • Knowing words

    Knowing many words helps children recognize written words and understand what they read.

  • Telling a story

    Learning to tell a story helps children develop skills in thinking and understanding.

  • Seeing words

    Familiarity with printed language helps children feel comfortable with books and reading.

  • Knowing letters

    Knowing the names and sounds of letters helps children sound out words.

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