http://playonwords.com/articles Best Strategies to Encourage Language Development in Babies, Toddlers, Preschool and School-Aged Children Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:00:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It's that time of year to make our lists and check them twice--and select the best toys and games for our kids and grandkids for holiday gift giving. Again, there are many helpful lists out there from Parents Magazine to Parents Choice Foundation. Check them out for their carefully toy ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/12/06/best-language-toys-and-games-for-gifts-2009/ What a jump, from first words at a year of age, to saying little sentences at two. Your toddler has a tall task ahead of him to absorb the world of language and learn how to make his wants and needs known through the spoken word. Parents can use  some ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/03/18/tips-to-get-your-toddler-talking/   Every parent cringes when he hears his preschooler yell out, “Mine” while holding  tight to a toy as his peer tries to wrestle it away. Giving up a treasured toy is tough on little ones, but learning to share is an essential lesson parents can teach over time. What should ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/02/24/learn-the-language-of-sharing/ Hang out for day with a child, and you realize that Valentine's Day is everyday--filled with love and hugs overflowing. Capture the spirit with a fun picture book, whether chasing a kiss through the forest, freely dispersing hugs through a carnival, or laughing out loud at Rapunzel's new love twist. ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/01/25/best-valentines-day-read-alouds/ After the holidays, we all feel a little overwhelmed by the influx of new toys and games as the piles rise in the playroom. Where do we start to get organized, whittle down the mess and adopt a kid-friendly system to keep order? A well-organized play area is the backdrop ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/01/11/toys-inventory-kids-fun-to-get-work-done/ Now that all the lists are out--Parents Magazine, Parenting, Toywishes, Amazon and others--for the best new toys for holiday giving, parents are asking what to buy? All these lists are helpful but what I have assembled is a list of my favorite toys, many new but some old favorites, based ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2008/12/02/best-educational-toys-for-holiday-giving-to-build-language/ Halloween brings on excited anticipation in children as they plan the character they will “be” for the night and search for that perfect costume. I’ve already been privy to a 3 year-old’s Dorothy costume, complete with her basket and Toto. It resides on a high shelf so it won’t be ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2008/10/09/halloween-books-to-scare-up-some-fun-and-build-your-childs-language/ Parents are always asking me to recommend the best toys for their child's age. They are tired of spending money on toys that end up in the toy bin, ignored and a waste of money. Since I spend several hours a day playing with children from 2-8 years of age, ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2008/09/08/a-lot-of-play-for-a-little-dough/ Getting teenagers to talk and confide in their parents is a hot topic. But face it. These communication skills should be modeled and practiced from the time your child is very young. Don't we all want to hear about our child's day--that she was included on the playground, had someone to ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2008/09/03/tips-to-get-your-child-to-talk-about-her-school-day/ It’s summer. School is out, so grab a book, cuddle up with your child and take a cool break . Reading to your child sets the foundation for emergent literacy skills—what children need to know before they actually read and write. With each story read, you are building your child’s vocabulary, ... http://playonwords.com/articles/2008/06/23/cool-picks-for-hot-summer-reading-building-language-and-literacy/