These strategies are easy, fun, and natural ways to model language throughout the day! No extra activities, planning, or materials needed!
Self-Talk: Talking about what you’re doing out loud.
Use child-friendly language to narrate what you’re doing throughout the day, especially as your child is watching you. Talk about all the things you are doing, touching, seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing, and tasting.
Examples:
Bath time- Squeeze the bottle. We need more water. Time to dry off!
Getting dressed- Zip up jacket. Put on your hat. I’ll help tie your shoe.
Meal time- I’m cutting up carrots. Stir with the spoon. Taking a big bite!
Parallel Talk: Talking about what your child is doing out loud.
Use child-friendly language to narrate what your child does as you watch them during routines or play. Talk about all the things they are doing, touching, seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing, and tasting.
Examples:
Play time-Pushing the car. It’s so tall. Woah, fall down!
Brushing teeth- Turn on the water. Brush teeth. Swish swish swish!
Clean up time- Here’s the box. Put more in. You cleaned up your toys!
Tips for using these strategies at home:
Narrate activities that are interesting to your child
Follow their lead and model language when they show interest
Self-talk throughout the day in small chunks
Shorter bursts of language modeling works great
Don’t expect your child to repeat you
Avoid the word “say” and model without any expectations from your child
Use short phrases and sentences
Keep your language short and simple
Talking about what you're doing out loud and what your child is doing out loud increases language exposure and are effective modeling strategies! Give these a try at home today!
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