Coat by the Door
What you need
- their small coat
How to do it
- Before you go out, say their name and get their attention.
- Say: 'get your coat and put it by the door'.
- Wait. Let them work out both parts without being shown.
- Try it on a day you're not going out too. That's how you know it's the words working.
Why it matters
A routine they do every day can look like understanding when it's really habit, so asking at an unexpected moment is how you find out which it is, and both are progress.
What they're learning
- Holding two things in mind
- Get it and take it somewhere: two parts, one errand.
- Words, not habit
- Following it out of the usual moment means they understood the words themselves.
- Getting ready
- Helping with leaving the house is a real contribution to the day.
What to look for
Watch for them doing it on a day when there was no other clue it was time to go.
A tip
Doing it from routine still counts. Knowing what happens next is a skill; understanding the words is the next one along.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: ask as you're getting ready to leave, when the routine helps
Harder: ask at a time you're not going anywhere
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Everyday helper activities · Activities for 18 month olds · Activities for 2 year olds