Say and Show Game

Materials You Need: Parts of your child's wardrobe, paper bags, magazines, or picture books.

What You Can Do Together: Play a naming game. Name the body parts, objects you use every day, and people the child knows. That way, he will understand that everything has a name and will gradually start learning those names.

Make two puppet toys out of socks or a paper bag - one for you and one for the child. Have your toy "talk" to the child or his toy. Encourage the child to "answer", and to each of his answers you continue that game. You can also use any small toys for the "puppets."

Play the game "What is it?" By pointing to parts of clothes, toys, body parts, objects, or pictures and asking the child to name them. If the child does not answer the question, you name the subject instead and encourage the child to imitate what you said. Make this fun, not a test.

Create a picture book by putting plain, simple pictures cut from magazines into a photo album. The child will also enjoy looking at his photos and photos of family members. Pictures of pets are also favourited by children of this age. 

Spread the child's clothes on the bed before dressing. Ask your child to hand you a shirt, pants, shoes, and socks.

Take two bowls (coffee cups or muesli bowls) that look the same and one small toy. Hide the toy under a bowl while the child is watching you. Ask the child, "Where did the toy go?" When the child finds it, ask the child. "What is it? What's its' name?"

You can engage in these activities whenever you and your child chose to make time for it.

What Your Child is Learning: All games and joint activities are an opportunity to encourage the development and learning of your child and to connect with the child in an emotional, cognitive and social sense.