Building a strong vocabulary early helps children express themselves, connect with others, and prepare for school success. Every day brings new chances to introduce words and spark conversations! Try these fun ideas to help little ones grow their language skills through daily activities:

Story Time Conversations

• Pause while reading and ask, “How do you think that character feels?” to introduce new feeling words.
• When a problem comes up in the story, ask your child what they might do to help build problem-solving and expressive language.

In the Kitchen

• Describe what you’re doing as you cook or prepare snacks. Use words like slice, stir, sprinkle, and pour.
• Talk about colors, shapes, and sizes of ingredients: “These strawberries are red and round!”

On the Move

• Turn errands into a letter hunt! Look for letters on street signs, stores, or license plates and name their sounds.
• Give playful directions to follow: “Hop three steps forward, turn right, and touch your nose!”

At Play

• During playtime, repeat and expand on your child’s words. If they say, “Car fast!” you might say, “Yes, the car is speeding down the road!”
• Use toys or puppets to act out little stories together, encouraging your child to describe what’s happening.