Receptive language is one’s ability to understand spoken and/or written words. Generally, we first understand a concept, before we begin to express it. Receptive language is so important in a young child’s development!
It is also something that is very easy to target. Here are ways that you can easily target receptive language during your normal daily routines!
Mealtime:
- Give me… (a blueberry, your fork, two pieces of chicken, etc.)
- Put all the food on your plate.
- Can I have one more? (strawberry, cheerio, etc.)
- Which strawberry is big/little?
- Go to your highchair.
- Put on your buckle. (Even if your child can’t buckle himself, as long as he grabs the buckle, you know that he understands)
Bathtime:
- Fill the cup with water.
- Pour the water out.
- Pour the water on the boat.
- Sit down.
- Stand up.
- Give me the…(duck, boat, cup, etc.)
- Give me your…(hand, foot, head, etc–for washing)
- Give me your other…(foot, hand)
- Can you wash your …(legs, hands, etc.)
Reading:
- Point to the….(ball, cow, etc.)
- Show me the…
- Where is the…?
- Where are they going? (child can point to the location)
- Can you find something you can eat/drink/play with, etc.?
Play:
- Throw/roll the ball.
- Find the…(object in the house/outside)
- Try a scavenger Hunt
- Play I spy…
- Put the (object) in/on/under the _____
- Bring the (object) to (person’s name).
- Run/hop/skip to the (location)
- To keep things fun, have your child point to things with pool noodles, sticks, or flashlights!
