When we’re not blogging, Grace and I are teachers. As we headed into the classroom this fall (Grace in an actual classroom in St. Louis and me, fully remote, in Cambridge), we’ve had to rethink how to meet our families’ needs under these unusual circumstances.
If you’re busy balancing your family’s screens, schedules, and technical difficulties, you’re not alone. To try to make life a little easier, we’ve created a brief list of ways you can support your child’s language development with the limited time you have available.
While not every free moment should be occupied—we’re firm believers in the value of unstructured time to foster creativity and engagement—there are simple ways you can spend time with your child that’s enjoyable, productive, and just so happens to be great for their language skills. Above all, keep the stress low and relish the play!
If you have five minutes, you can sing a song with your young child. Songs with rhyming words, especially interactive ones like “Down by the Bay,” encourage children to think about words in a new way (plus, they’re funny, and laughter is medicine). Older children will appreciate tongue twisters—how fast can you say them? Can you make up some of your own?
If you have 10 minutes, play a round of I Spy with your child. Toddlers will be able to find something based on color, number, or perhaps a rhyme, while older children can work on more advanced language skills. “I spy something that begins with sh.” Take turns so they can practice both sides of the game.
If you have 30 minutes, check out your local library’s website to see what services they offer to families. Many libraries are doing some type of curation, curbside pickup, or other program to keep children stocked with books while we continue to social distance. Does your local library have any resources to make it easier for you to change up your shelves?
If you have an hour, make a snack or simple meal with your child. You can work in language by using a recipe, flipping through a cookbook, or even just planning a recipe and creating a shopping list together. This is a great activity for children of any age: Toddlers love to talk about foods they most enjoy, and you can introduce descriptive language to help them. Is their favorite food cold? Crunchy? Spicy? Older children will value the independence and critical thinking involved in planning a meal.
If you have plenty of time, sink into your bookshelf with your child and see what’s missing. What have you got that is well-represented? Are there new interests your child has developed that could be further ignited by some new library books? Are there books your child has outgrown, or simply isn’t interested in anymore? Ask them what they’d like to read about and which books they love, then talk to your local library staff about a refresh from the stacks.
Whether you’re in the car between appointments, enjoying a meal together, or getting ready for bed, enjoying your child’s company is the best way to incorporate language and literacy into your day—no Google invite required.
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