Talking with Katie

Get your toddler talking using CHOICES!👇🏻

We ALL want choices, our toddlers included! 🙌🏻

But choices are also a great way to support your child’s language development.

Just starting out?👇🏻
Give choices between a PREFERRED and NON-PREFERRED item.

“Olives or crackers?”
This may get them engaged and giggling, but it’s also effective because it’s much more motivating to make a choice so they don’t get the non-preferred item!

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE:
“What do you want to drink? Milk or water?”
*reaching for milk”
“Milk?”
*still reaching”
“Want milk, sure! Milk. Let’s get some milk.”

What questions do you have about choices?! Drop them below and let’s chat!👇🏻

Ever felt anxious when you heard what another friend’s child is doing? 🙈

Ever felt dread as you head to your well check because you’ll have to fill out the Ages & Stages Questionnaire, knowing you’ll fill in one too many “not yet” responses? 😞

Ever feel like you want to scream at a professional that your child is more than their skills? That they are funny, sweet, silly, kind, SO MUCH MORE than their milestones? 😫

Milestone talk can elicit a lot of anxiety, I get it!

But we also can’t shy away from talking about them. The fact is they are signals to know when our babes need help!

But mama please remember, milestones don’t define your baby OR you.

They don’t indicate worth.

They don’t indicate value.

They just give us clues when our sweet babes need some extra help 💕
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Want to get your baby or toddler imitating? 👶🏻👧🏽

Add in actions with the sound or word! 👏🏻

Not only will it increase the likelihood they imitate but it makes every activity more FUN! 🎉

What action and word combo does your toddler love?! Let’s chat! 👇🏻
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Help! How do I help my toddler imitate words! 👶🏽 (You’ll want to save this for later!)

IMPORTANT: before we expect these words to come we must make sure they developmentally are ready! Do they have the 11 skills that come before words? (see previous posts). 👇🏻

A few of those precursor skills include imitating actions and sounds (shhh, coughing etc).👍🏻

Then, really focus on exclamatory words!

🔅UH OH!
🔅WOW
🔅WHEE
🔅BOOM
🔅OUCH
🔅YAY

Why do these often develop as first words?
👉🏻They have simple syllable shapes
👉🏻They evoke a somewhat emotional response (often excitement & fun)
👉🏻We often naturally pair an action with them

Be sure to swipe through to see ideas for modeling these fun words!

And if you’re looking for more concrete ideas on how to support your toddlers language development grab my Talking with Toddlers cards! (link in bio) 🎉

Did your toddler use any of these exclamatory words early on? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇🏻
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Want to get your toddler talking? Reach for a repetitive book! 📚

They are predictable. ✅
They are engaging. ✅
They are full of opportunity. ✅
They are FUN. ✅

And THAT 👆🏻 is a recipe for encouraging language development!

Don’t miss my favorite repetitive books linked below! 📚

https://l12138.myubam.com/wishlist/b06f386d-2984-4517-b056-ad7f00b1d108

What are your favorite repetitive books? Drop one below! 👇🏻
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Baby Ames, we are head over heels in love with you. 💕

Let’s get them babies talking! 🗣

One of my favorite tools to get little ones engaged AND support their language development is lift the flap books! 📚

Any time you pick up a book it’s a good thing 👏🏻

But how can we maximize that time for language growth AND increase their engagement? 👇🏻

🔅Knock on the flaps
🔅Say & wave “bye” before closing them
🔅Blow kisses before you close them
🔅Model “open” before you open flaps
🔅Give them directions “open it, close it”
🔅Model actions as you look at pictures

What are some of your favorite lift that flap books? We love Dear Zoo around here! Tell me some of your favorites! 👇🏻
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