Talk, Read, Play, Write, Sing

Parents are their child’s first and most important teachers and it is through every day routines that great learning opportunities happen. By talking, reading, playing, writing and singing with their children, parents and caregivers can support their healthy development and prepare them for school. These basic concepts are also woven throughout early learning programs in Boston.

Talk:

Engaging in conversation with a child, responding to their babbling and questions, describing observations, and discussing thoughts and feelings help build strong communications skills so that they can better express themselves. These skills in turn help them learn to read and write. In sum, children learn to listen first, then talk, read and write. Listening to your words is the first step. 

Read:

It is never too early to begin reading to children in any language — even babies enjoy it and benefit! Reading aloud from the very beginning is one of the most important things we can do to prepare children to do well in school. Reading and talking to children about stories, even before they understand, builds their language skills and sparks their imagination. Reading, looking at books, or sharing stories is also a special time to snuggle up and connect. Reading together creates bonds and lasting memories for parents and children. 

Play:

Playing with your child and providing opportunities for them to play independently will help them develop creativity, imagination, and social and emotional skills. Babies and children need stimulation and interaction to foster brain development. Through play they learn how to interact with others and the world around them. Create a safe space for play and encourage your child to explore their environment.

Write:

Scribble, draw, and make tactile art. A child’s scribbles are an on ramp to adult writing. Practice writing in different ways – with crayons, pencils, markers, finger paints, or a brailler or slate and stylus for the child with blindness or low vision. If it involves mark making of some kind, it’s writing! Some children may have a hard time with writing activities. Consider adaptive tools like pencil grippers and chunky crayons if your child has limited manual dexterity. Talk to them about what they create and write. Encourage them to talk to you about what they create and write.

Sing:

Singing songs, nursery rhymes, and action songs exposes children to language patterns, rhythm, and rhyme. When we sing, the sounds that make up words become more clear. Sing the alphabet and nursery rhymes, listen to recorded music, or clap along to a song to demonstrate syllables. If your child’s ability to verbalize or hear makes singing difficult, engage them in other rhythm-building activities, like hand clapping, marching, and swaying to music.