Tips for Parents:

Phonological Knowledge: 

-Read books with prosody
-Talk about the illustrations by labeling, and commenting on them
-Model how to sound out words aloud

Semantic Knowledge: 

-Encourage the use of invented words
-Label objects in their environment
-Repeat words that your child is likely to say ex: mama, dada

Syntactic Knowledge:

-Use child directed speech

Morphemic Knowledge:

-Talk about what is happening around your child aloud and use different tenses

Pragmatic Knowledge: 

-Expose your children to different and safe environments and situations
-When reading aloud use different inflection to display emotions
-Use eye contact when speaking to your child

Books & Activities:

Goodnight Moon:  Goodnight a great book for toddlers and infants. It is a durable, and tells a story about a familiar topic: bedtime. Children will love the predictability and repetitiveness of saying “goodnight” to everything in the room.

Activity: As you read the book aloud, talk about the items that they book says goodnight too. Then, in your own room, say goodnight to some of your child’s favorite toys, or objects they have around their room.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a great way to introduce the letters of the alphabet. Its large illustrations are appropriate for the young ages and the books refrains from using too many words. Allow them to practice writing the letters on a durable surface using their fingers and some type of removable medium. Ex: sand, chocolate syrup, shaving cream, etc.

Activity: Sing and listen to the song together on youtube. Your child will love hearing the story sang in addition to it being read to. Point and label each letter as you read.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: This is a great interactive books that young children will enjoy. Toddlers and poke their fingers through the holes in the book as you unfold the live of a caterpillar.

Activity: Create conversation  about what the caterpillar saw and ate along the book. Let your child play with the pages and holes.