If you have a toddler at home, you must agree with the fact that kids are very good observers and they understand many things which they are not able to express properly. They need a developed vocabulary power to express their thoughts and feelings. If you wish to help your children to strengthen their vocabulary and describe events verbally, you are at the correct place. Here, Montessori La Puente, CA teachers have shared their observations and tips to help toddlers to be more expressive and vocal.

Reading is a classic activity that can build your toddler’s vocabulary. However, encouraging him to use his imagination to create events in his mind and narrate them has a high impact on his language development.

Effective communication is an art and learning that art can be an exciting phase in any toddler’s life. At this stage, they are alert and aware of everything happening around them and are very quick in absorbing new words. Between 2 to 3 years of age, their vocabulary grows to include as many as 300 words. During this exciting phase, most of the parents want their children to learn language and nuances in the best possible ways. According to the teachers of Montessori La Puente, CA this is the time when you can also encourage your toddler to develop his imagination and start being creative with words, thoughts, and expressions.

Tips to encourage young children to express their thoughts verbally

• Teaching through conversation. Keep on talking to your toddler and ask him the different questions which will lead to a conversation. Start with questions that have ‘yes’/’no’ answers. Slowly move to ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘why’, and ‘how’.
• Try to understand his interest and take that topic. Ask questions related to that topic. For example, if your child loves watching ‘Tom and Jerry’; ask him ‘who are there in the show?’, ‘Why do they always run?’, ‘what they are doing?’ etc.
• Sometimes ask some questions which will require some thinking. Like ‘why are apples both green and red?’ or ‘why do we get wet in the rain?’, etc.
• Try to discuss some simple household problems with him and encourage him to share his thought on how to solve the problem. On asking for their thoughts or opinions, they will feel important and motivate them to express their ideas verbally.

1. Teaching through pictures

• Instead of normal textbooks, read picture books with your kids. In Montessori La Puente, CA kids are encouraged to do picture reading where they are supposed to go through the pictures of a book and try to understand what is happening in the story.
• Make silly pictures like Tom and Jerry are taking a bath with your children. Show them the picture and ask him to describe the picture.
• Encourage your child to draw and then create a story around that drawing.

These are some of the creative activities which are not only stimulating but also fun to do for both of you. These activities will give you ample opportunities to spend some quality time with your toddler, something which will help to strengthen your bond with the little one.