Nurturing communication skills with toddlers

To understand why communication is so critical for a child's overall brain power is to know just what a child's brain does with all those words you speak around him.

"Communication" refers to all the information that's transmitted from you to your child by things like words, sounds, gestures, and the printed page.

If you're running out of things to say to your toddler here are a few ways to strengthen your language skills for effective communication.

n Look your toddler in the eye when you speak to them to make sure they understand.

n Sing songs that have simple movements that correspond to the words like, "I'm a Little Teapot," or "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

n Pretend you're having a phone conversation with them, either with a real phone or a toy one. Use your "phone time" to introduce new words and concepts. Your child is more likely to talk freely with a prop than if they're trying to speak directly to you.

n Use things around the house to play grocery shopping or restaurant together. Save whatever you use, a lot that's safe and has a logo, such as juice and cereal boxes. See if they can name the labels. This strengthens their ability to make associations.

n When you're running errands, point out restaurant names, food and product labels and street signs, anything with letters.

n Ask open-ended questions when you're reading like, "What do you think will happen next?"

n Scribble stories together. Children's early attempts to write with a crayon or a pencil shows they understand the squiggles they see in a written "word" have meaning.

By doing what comes naturally " singing, talking, and giving your child plenty of love and attention they will become a healthy, active learner.

The Family Support Council currently offers a Toddler Time hour at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays. This time is set up to allow your child to explore objects and learn to be around other children in a developmental environment.

The Family Support Council is located at 1255 Waterloo Lane, Suite A in Gardnerville.