Building Language Ages 12-12 Months

“If my parents had done these things with me, I probably wouldn’t be in this place.  This stuff is fun and easy. I’m going to read to my grandkids and show my daughter.” Person at the Marquette County Detention Center GTT training sessions. 2014

 

  Between ages 12-18 months your child will probably say a few words and understand sometimes what you say if you speak in a normal voice and short sentences. There are many ways to interact with your 12 -18 month old in a way that will help develop language. It is a stage of giving them words for what they are doing and carrying on the strangest conversations. You can often pretend to understand, repeat what you think they are talking about, and question.

  By this time most babies have good balance while sitting. They will enjoy hitting various sizes of pots and pans or cardboard boxes.  You can turn on music and sing with the beat. Pound fast, slowly, loudly and softly. Experiment. Will they copy you? Talk and listen to them talk back to you with partial words or their own words.

At the Sink

  Children 12-18 months may stand on a chair by the sink with a guard chairs on each side. Make the water warm and add a few drops of gentle dish soap. Supply some plastic dishes for them to wash and show how to clean with a new little sponge. Remind them not to put bubbles in their mouth. If they do, they will learn a lesson, too. Provide towels on the floor and a plastic bib. Explain what they are doing with words, phrases and complete sentences. Use the correct words without baby talk. Otherwise, they will need to unlearn baby talk later. Avoid saying, ”Let ME help you.“  Instead say, “I will help you.” “I” begins sentences.

Messy

 The 12-18 month old loves to squish and splat while you chat, question together and provide words for actions. Place different textures on their high chair tray like gelatin, spaghetti, jelly colored water, or mashed potatoes.  They will joyfully do their own brand of talking with you before bath time. 

 Peek, Seek, Sleep

   Fill a pillowcase with items from around the house and discuss what they find. Hide items under, on top, beside and behind pillows to help them solve problems with you. Ask “Where is Teddy?” Then model searching and thinking out loud together. Teddy is also a useful model to put to sleep, groom and feed, chatting all the while.

  Read Often

Even looking through a book, talking about characters, and telling the story in your own words is reading. You are developing language and getting ready for the next stage. 

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Reminder:  The last article for Grandparents Teach, Too will be Nov. 20,2020.  Thank you for helping  families learn how to be meaningfully engaged in their children's early learning and development.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Stop Bullying in Ten Seconds

Witnessing Bullying Can Be Damaging to Other Children

  While talking with young children about bullying they often share how upset and helpless they feel that no one comes forward to help. Adults are disappointed and hurt about this, too. They know witnessing bullying can be just as, if not more, damaging to the other children as the victims. Caregivers face a dilemma when children witness bullying – keeping the witnesses safe but wanting children to help stop the bullying. Experts have research results and advice to help.

Start Conversations

  A good time to talk with children about how to stop bullying is when they witness the act.  Bystanders have the most power to put an end to bullying! Three out of ten children are either a bully or a victim, which means seven out of ten children are witnesses. Caregivers of young children can empower those seven children to help stop bullying.

Talking To Children Helps: Bystanders

  When peers step in, bullying stops within ten seconds 57% of the time according to a study by Hawkins, Pepler and Craig. It makes sense to teach young children to be defenders.

   Talk openly about how to handle the situation to give children positive ways to deal with it. Children can understand what an important role they play as a bystander. Role play a situation where they have a chance to be the bystander and help them imagine how they would feel if they were being bullied. Ask what they would expect from others if they were the victim. Talk about how much it can hurt and why it is important to stop bullying. Encourage children to be kind to the victims and perhaps spend time with them.

Words and Actions

  Talk about how bullies love an audience. Help children find ways to take the audience away. They can encourage everyone to do a different activity or quietly walk away to find an adult.  Explain that they should never put themselves in the position to be bullied or not feel safe, however. Assure them it is “ok” to tell an adult, and it is the right thing to do.   Explain the difference between tattling (reporting unimportant things to get someone in trouble) and telling (reporting important events to keep someone safe).

Training Calms Children's Fears

 Without training young children are afraid to tell because they fear becoming the victim or that bullying may get worse.  Help children be assertive and confident. Practice saying loudly and forcefully, “No, we don’t like that!” or “Stop! What you are doing is bullying, and it isn’t right!”   Be sure your children understand to only speak up if they feel comfortable and safe to do that. Otherwise, get help. These skills help foster adults who will be involved, responsible, and caring members of society.

For more since 2009 (archived) see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com, wnmufm.org/ Learning Through the Seasons, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos