Starting from the birth of a child the only way that a child connects to the world is through language. Language can be in many forms like crying, smiling, gestures, babbling and each and every action that a child has is a form of language for him. Child vocabulary starts developing right from the birth itself although the child cannot speak but each and every new word that comes across the kids adds on to their vocabulary. Activities and various approaches taken up by parents can be a very good way for children to help them enhance their language and communication skills. Through these activities children will be able to learn new words and enhance their communication skills.

1. Storytelling

Children love to hear stories it can be bedtime stories or at any other time of the day. When your child is willing to hear a story, you can narrate one parents can also narrate stories about their daily lives start this activity children will be able to visualize the spoken words and will also add on to their existing vocabulary. Parents can also use storybooks which have attractive pictures in them so that kids can bridge the gap between the spoken word and the actual visualization of the words in real context.

2. Labeling the household items

On cardboard or paper that has been cut into bits write the names of common household products furniture accessories for the bathroom, clothes, child daily use items and toys for children can all fall under this category. Ask your youngster to place each word on top of the appropriate items once you have read it aloud. You can eventually start composing words for adjectives to describe everyday objects. Include new adjectives that your child might not be familiar with and assist them in locating objects that fit the description of the word. Encourage children to pronounce each word out loud and to even come up with a few of their own descriptors.

3. Play with puppets

Playing with puppets and encouraging children to play with them by showcasing how to play with puppets by using a hand puppet or any kind of puppet that is easily available once your child is having fun with puppets you will see that your child will start talking to puppet or will have an imaginary conversation with it. children love to talk to puppets and they also feel free to express their emotions with the toy or puppet. These can be a very useful tool which can help enhance your child's language development along with the imagination.

4. Make believe play

You can play with your child games like, teacher- teacher, dress up, kitchen set, doctor- doctor, etc. Indies games your child will start imagining things to the perspective of the role that a child is playing in that game and we'll start imitating things during these games your child will start engaging in a communication within a play. children do play these games themselves but you can engage with kids in this place so that you can start a conversation with them and introduce them with new words.

All of these activities are great for your child’s vocabulary and language development, and children will also enjoy it. Remember other than this communicating with your child is also very important for the language skills.

Muskan Harjai
(Early Childhood Educator)

M.A. Education (Early Childhood Care and Education)