Hungry Little Minds - Ideas and Activities for 12 to 24 Months
In your routine
- At mealtimes, say the names of the foods your child is eating and say what they’re like, using words like ‘crunchy’, ‘squishy’, ‘sour’, ‘cold’, ‘warm’.
- Give your child choices, so that they can hear and understand more words. For example, ‘Do you want an apple or an orange?’ Make sure you give them time to respond!
- Try playing pretend games. For example, you can make meal times fun by pretending to be a dinosaur eating trees as you bite into some broccoli, or a monkey enjoying a slice of banana. Make sure that both you and your child have some food to try!
On the go
- When you’re out and about, notice the different noises your child responds to. Talk about what they can hear – for example, ‘The birds are saying tweet-tweet,’ or ‘It’s a car, vrrrrrrooom!’
- When your child starts using words respond to what they say and make it a conversation using words for actions as well as things, for example, ‘Mummy? Yes, Mummy is kicking the ball.’
Other ideas
- Look at picture books together. With each new page, give your child time to point out things to you. Talk about what they can see using words for actions as well as for things – for example, ‘The monkey is eating.’
We have created a list of fun, affordable activities and groups suitable for 0 to 5's with a focus on music, the outdoors, language development and storytelling. Follow the link below to see what you can do together in Cornwall.
Who to contact
- Contact name
- A Campaign by The Department for Education
- Website
- https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/.../#12
- Notes
You can find out more information and get more ideas and activities to do with your child from the following websites:
- Small Talk – ideas and activities from the National Literacy Trust.
- I CAN – for more information about children’s communication.
- A Better Start – for more information about building young brains.
- NSPCC provides free ‘brain-building tips’ for children.
- Bilingualism Matters provides information about children learning more than one language.
- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists can provide support if you’re worried about your child’s speech and language development.