Up, down, in, out, under… Those relational prepositions mean something very specific to us as adults.  But when toddlers hear a phrase like, “Put the block under the cup,” they’ll probably put the block in the cup because it’s the obvious thing to do. Toddlers understand that they are supposed to do something with the block and the cup, but just what all those relationships are, and what they’re called, can take years to master. Typically, toddlers tune in to the words they know, like “block” and “cup”—and then make a good guess about what you’ve got in mind with the rest.

Language development, like all other developmental domains, is a process which can be nurtured in surprisingly simple, everyday interactions and activities.  Here are two ideas that will help support children’s vocabulary development:

#1 – Label and move.

There is a powerful connection between movement and learning that has an impact on language development too.  That’s because a child’s developing brain makes a connection based on what they experience.  The more you label the movements, the more your child will understand and be able to make the connection between the word and the movement or object.  Here’s a great example of moving and labeling:

#2 – Practice and play.

Learning should be fun!  And here at Kindermusik, we like to make it hands-on, interactive, and engaging, particularly with our @Home Materials.  Here’s a playful way to help your child with their vocabulary development:

Looking for more parenting ideas on how to support your child’s development? Visit a Kindermusik class.  Your first one is on us.