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Stories on the Go

This simple take-along activity can help you become a storyteller no matter where you are. Just pull out a photo card and describe what you see.

Pretend Play Has Real Benefits!

Toddlers imitate what they see and hear you do. As they grow, they become more involved in imaginative play and use what they learn from watching you. Let your child explore his imagination by providing items for pretend play.

Sing and Wash

Singing the Alphabet Song is a fun way to expose your child to letters. Make hand washing more fun by singing the Alphabet Song together!

You've Got a Job to Do!

By 24-months-old, most toddlers can follow simple two- and three-step directions. This fun activity will give your child that special feeling of having a job to do while building vocabulary and oral language skills.

Stretch That Thought

Your 2-year-old may now be using two or three words in a phrase to talk about and ask for things. When your child does this, you can stretch her phrase into a sentence or two. You will be modeling some important rules of language in this activity.

Minding Manners

Around age 2, your child may be starting to say “no” and taking more notice of how you react to her behaviors and actions. Using polite words should be encouraged, especially when someone is asking for and receiving something.

Find the Letter

Manipulative letters, such as magnetic letters, are important for helping children build letter knowledge at their own pace. This is a fun, active activity where your child will match a magnetic letter to an oversized letter written with sidewalk chalk.

Journal Writing

Children at this age love to talk about themselves. Keeping a journal is one way to tap into your child’s world and special interests. Making writing a part of your child’s daily routine builds an important foundation for later writing needed for school.

In-The-Car Talk

During your car rides, use the time for conversations with your child. Oral language skills are built much more through interactions between people than by watching TV, working on a computer, or listening to a radio. So, strike up a conversation!

Pick, Tell, Pretend, Sort

Create a “Mystery Box” to explore oral language skills, develop vocabulary and just have fun! This activity is easy to assemble and is bound to give you some laughs while developing oral language skills at the same time.