The appropriate time to introduce a language-development toy to an infant is when he is between 9 and 12 months. Babies at that age can say easy words such as "dog" or "no." They are fascinated with toys that require them to push buttons to hear certain words. These very young children also get a thrill from flipping through books made of fabric or even board books and pretending that they are reading the stories back to their parents or caregivers.
Adults should talk aloud as they play with their babies and preschoolers. For instance, when playing with a Mr. Potato Head or a doll, the parent or caregiver should name the parts of the body and point to the child's own nose, mouth or ears while reciting them. Or, the adult may use action verbs while rolling or tossing a ball. During a bath, a mother or father can use a rubber duck to teach a youngster about animals and their sounds. These simple steps help a child to build and then reinforce her language skills over time.
Common household items can be just as effective as toys. At meal times, parents can direct attention to foods, plates and utensils while identifying them. The family table also is a good place to talk aloud about manners and to coach tots on the importance of saying "please" and "thank you." Similar techniques can be used in the car while pointing out trucks, emergency vehicles or trains.
Toddlers enjoy playing make believe. They especially love things that allow them to emulate grown ups, such as pretend telephones, brooms or shopping carts. While stretching their imaginations, tots also get to engage in made-up chatter while playing with these child-sized objects.
Parents and caregivers should remember to have fun when they're coaching their children to develop their language skills. Playtime and conversations between young children and adults are the most important building blocks to childhood language development. Children should feel that instructions and pleasure go hand in hand.