Expand on what they say.

When your child notices something, expand on what they say and introduce new words. For example, if they find a shell, talk about the kinds of animals that might live in a shell like that.

When you do errands, involve your child and talk to them about what you’re doing. Look for opportunities to introduce new words.

When you sing, add hand or body motions. This makes songs extra fun and gives your child more to remember. Try “If you’re happy and you know it (Clap Your Hands).”

When you sing your child’s favorite songs, leave out words for them to fill in. Or you can say the wrong word and see if they catch you.

Help your child learn their full name, address, and phone number. You can teach it to the tune of one of their favorite songs.

Tell your child something specific that you love about them. What makes them special? What do you admire or enjoy most about them?

Encourage your child when they try something new or difficult. Instead of doing it for them, help just enough so they can be successful. Then praise their effort until they succeed.

Young children have strong emotions. Talk to your child about their and other people’s feelings. Let them know that all feelings are OK. See if they can come up with  a word to describe a particular feeling.

When your child needs help managing strong feelings, you can suggest strategies like taking a deep breath, using their words, or drawing a picture.  Praise them when they use a good strategy.

It’s normal for preschoolers to feel nervous in new situations. Talk to your child ahead of time about what to expect. Ask what makes them nervous and work together to come up with ideas for what they could do.