Reading is one of the best ways to promote language skills, including receptive language skills which includes the understanding of words, story comprehension, sequencing, following directions and more. Did you know the average 18 month old can understand over 100 words?
Books contain a variety of words, not typically used in day to day interactions and conversations. Children books in particular are full of descriptive language words.
There are dozens of ways to address and improve children’s receptive language skills during story time. Help your child increase their vocabulary by pointing to pictures which correspond to the words in the story. Work on description words by asking your child to find something in the story that is pink, big, loud, etc. Ask your child to follow simple directions such as “turn the page” or “touch the X and Y characters”. If the book contains action words such as the book Head to Toe, act out the motions in real time with your child. You can also print pictures of the story book characters and ask your child to sequence the story. Brown Bear, Brown Bear is great for this type of activity. If your child is more verbal, you can begin asking yes/no or simple WH questions for story comprehension activities. Get creative with it. Remember, books aren’t made to just be read word for word cover to cover. Use the awesome illustrations to reinforce language. Create follow-up activities that incorporate movement and play. It’s so easy to make story time the best part of the day!
Talk soon, Kim
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