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/ Papa the ball. Thank you! Now it’s Mama’s/ Papa'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 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.