Whose Is It?

Materials You Need: Any small objects

What You Can Do Together: Find a comfortable place to play. Say “Let’s play a game! Here is a [item, a small ball for example].” Give the ball to your child. Now say: “Now it’s [your child’s name]’s ball.  It is yours!”  Then say, [child’s name], please give Mama the ball. Thank you!  Now it’s Mama’s ball — it is mine!” Continue handing the item back and forth, making the exchange fun and using the words “yours” and “mine” together with your child’s name and your name. This is just a fun game, not a lesson. Enjoy the time with your child.

At other times during your day, remember to use words like “yours, mine, hers/his, etc.” as well as “on, under, over,” and similar words when you place or take items:  “Where is your blanket?  Oh, it is under the table.  Can you get it, please?”

What Your Child is Learning: At this age, your child’s language abilities are growing fast. Words describing ownership (mine) and position (under) are important tools for your child to express her/his understanding of the world. Everyday activities and simple games like this, book-reading, and daily conversations will all build your child’s language and communication skills.