Milk or Water?

What you need

• two cups, one of milk and one of water

How to do it

1. Hold up both cups and name each as you show it: "milk?" "water?"
2. Wait and let them choose.
3. Hand over the one they go for and name it again: "milk."
4. Try the same with two snacks or two toys another day.

Why it matters

Getting a choice gives them a real reason to use a word, and hearing both names right before they choose gives them the words to use.

What they're learning

A reason to talk

Wanting one thing is the best reason to name it.

Hearing both words

Both names come just before they choose.

Making a choice

Choosing is something they can do for themselves.

What to look for

Watch for a sound or word along with the reach.

A tip

If a word comes out, however unclear, say it back clearly and add one more: "ball" becomes "big ball". Never ask them to repeat it.

More like this

Wipe the Highchair from 14 months · 5-10 min Bottle Car Wash from 20 months · 30-45 min Just Out of Reach from 12 months · 5-10 min Whose Sock Is That? from 22 months · 10-15 min