What is the most important thing for toddlers to learn? What is the one thing, above all others, that will benefit these wee ones most in their years ahead? Of course there are many opinions to these questions – but want to know what I think?
I believe (very strongly. VERY strongly) that above all else, the development of oral language is the single most important learning activity for a toddler.
Hands down. THE most important. (Alright already, you get it). I do not simply mean learning to talk, but being exposed to “rich” language. I do this with my little ones in two ways: talking, and reading.
The importance of reading is huge – but today, I want to share with you how simple it can be to provide rich language development activities for toddlers. And the place I love developing language the most is in nature.
While teaching Kindergarten I was constantly bringing nature indoors to expose the children to new things and words to develop this rich oral language.
One of the most wonderful things about being home with my own little ones is that we can actually BE outside and especially, in the woods.
Both Sammy and Benjamin love to be outside exploring – as do I. And the woods is full of interesting and inspiring things to talk about. While on a nature walk recently I really focused on using some “rich” language.
By this I mean using descriptive and detailed words, proper terms, comparing words, and such.
If you are ready to really dive into giving your toddler the most beautiful of starts in the most simple of ways, you are going to absolutely love my Toddler Program Playful Days. Perhaps it is exactly what you have been looking for?
I hope you absolutely love it! Now, back to the great outdoors as we develop that language some more.
Here are 5 of the language development activities for toddlers we enjoy outside:
1. Ways to move
While walking in the woods there was a fallen log over the path. We started talking about ways we could get past this big log.
Should we go over/under/around/or through? We quickly decided we could not go through the log, and we were not tiny enough to go under it.
Sammy decided we should go over, so we talked about stepping our feet up “incredibly” high as we got over it.
We also talked about ways we could walk through the forest. We could walk really fast or quickly, or we could walk very slow and saunter (Mama was all for the sauntering, but the boys wouldn’t have it). We could climb over trees and stumps for more exploring, or we could stick to the path for more of an observing nature walk.
2. Describing Nature
Next I focused on some describing words. There was some moss growing on a log which had caught Sammy’s attention so we started describing the moss.
I asked Sammy some questions to help him describe the moss (How does it feel? Where is it on the log?) Sometimes Sammy would answer with some simple words, like, ‘it is on top of the log’.
I would use this to extend or deepen his understanding by saying, ‘yes, it looks as though it is spreading all over the top of the log. Isn’t it neat how it is spreading in patches? There is a huge patch of moss here, and little tiny patches over there.’
I also try to use describing words when we are talking about animals or any nature thing we should see. Instead of saying, ‘Look at the mushroom’ to my tiny toddler, I might say ‘Look at that little brown mushroom”.
3. Describing Senses
Other describing language development activities for toddlers that we do on our nature walks are describing things we see, hear, smell, and touch.
When we spied the hole pictured above, we described it as a dark, deep, mysterious hole – and guessed whose home it may be.
The bark on a tree may feel rough, bumpy, smooth, hard, spongy, damp, dry, crumbly, and many other ways too! There is so much language that can be developed in nature. A squirrel may be scurrying or rustling in leaves, clambering up a tree, racing through the tree tops, or nestling into a nest. Insects may be little, tiny, or relatively big – they might be brightly coloured, or camouflaged with the tree bark.
4. Using Correct Terms
I never hesitate to use big words with my little ones. I will often introduce these words in a way that connects to what they are saying.
For example, when Sammy told me he saw a big tree, I responded by saying, ‘Wow, that tree IS enormous.” This is a nice easy way for Sammy to begin making connections between words and for him to begin to understand that the word big must be related, somehow, to the word enormous.
Often my little ones will try out these big words in the next few days – sometimes correctly (“That spider is enormous!” – and yes, unfortunately there was an ENORMOUS spider inside)
And sometimes not correctly – “I am an enormous brother”. When Sammy uses a word not exactly right, I will adjust his words, “You are a big brother yes – enormous means a really huge size” and leave it at that. As he plays with these words he is building his oral language all on his own.
5. Comparing Items
Other language development activities for toddlers are comparing and contrasting items. This activity really helps to deepen a wee ones understanding of their world and helps them make connections.
A good example of this is when we were looking at some insects. Sammy was calling any little crawling insect an ant. Instead of simply telling Sammy that he was looking at a ladybug, we compared the two insects. It was pretty simple to see the differences between them once he looked.
By making these comparisons he is growing his language and making very important ‘hooks’ for further learning. Now that he knows an ant and ladybug are different, he will be much more likely to question other insects when he sees them next.
Language development activities for toddlers are very important. Providing rich language can be so very simple.
Very often it simply involves slowing down, and exploring with your child. Adding in a thought, a word, or a comparison as you explore and play together can make such a huge difference to your child’s later literacy development.
On days when I am feeling overwhelmed with all I am to do. I simply take the kids outside. We play, explore, create, and learn naturally. And we all feel good about it.
Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend,
xo
Sarah
If you like these ideas, you are going to LOVE my program for 2-3 year olds called Play into Kindergarten Readiness! Ideas just like this are what makes this program the BEST program for toddlers and preschoolers. All core skills are covered through play and exploring nature with just ONE activity per day. Please join me right here:
Great post! I love it. We do these anyway without really thinking about it but it’s nice to see it written and reflect upon whether we do it enough 🙂 x
Thank you Charlotte. Yes, reflecting on what we do and why we do it is very important. It is wonderful that these Language development activities happen so naturally for you – fantastic for your wee ones!! I am glad you enjoyed the post,
These photos are beautiful. I love these natural ideas for language development 🙂
Thank you very much! I am excited that I just made a nice camera purchase 🙂 I do love photography – and I look forward to experimenting with a real camera (not just my phone!)
Thank you so much for this post! When I was raising my sweet babies so many people criticized me for using all of my vocabulary with my children and with other children. “Children are to small to understand that!” Really?! More than anything I wanted my children to understand and revel in eloquent expression. As they journeyed through school and university their delight in the acquisition of language fueled their curiosity and creativity. They are grown now and we still find tremendous joy in our conversation. The connection we have is embellished by our continuos thirst for knowledge and our desire to share it with each other. We are now bringing grandbabies into this world and it is utterly delightful to watch them share in our love of books, nature, exploration and experimentation. THESE are the things that bring true wealth into our lives!
So beautifully put Tracy! I am delighted you enjoyed the post … and I am so happy your Grandbabies will enjoy the beauty of language!
Wonderful to think about the simple learning activities out and about
Isn’t it though? No need for anything complicated – simple learning is the best.
Fabulous post with some really easy and simple ideas. I love that you use big words with your little ones too. I totally agree that it is important for them to be exposed to lots of different language and what better way to do that than to take them outdoors to discover the natural world.
Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party 🙂
Thank you Leila! I agree – being outdoors is a wonderful way to learn new words and have new experiences. Excellent for building language.
I love this post, Sarah, and especially how you describe the simplicity of exposing children to rich language by just talking about everyday things. Also how you point out not to hesitate to use big words with children is so great to see since a rich vocabulary is such an important factor in proficient reading as well. Thanks so much!
I am so glad you enjoyed the post Linda. Thank you very much for your kind words and taking the time to comment!
Love this so much, giving language a real context will always make it more embedded for a child. Sharing this on my FB page & twitter & thanks for supporting the OPP.
Thank you Kierna! And thank you for hosting the link up.
always good to head outside for a bit of fresh perspective! popping over from #countrykids
There’s so much children learn from being out in nature. #CountryKids
There truly is Alexandra! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
I love the time and thought that goes into your explanation. It makes so much sense and what a wonderful and interesting way for little ones to learn about the great outdoors. Thank you for sharing on Country Kids, lovely to have you join in.
What a great post. I love how you show the benefits of a simple experience in the outdoors. Having an activity like this makes children forget their learning and they just enjoy the environment. Lovely reading.
Thank you so very much!
Great ideas. Nature is always so good at sparking thought, imagination, discussions, what better way to teach language than with nature. #CountryKids
Couldn’t agree more Karen! Thank you!
Thank you, this was really useful as my little boy has autism and a severe language delay so it has given me some ideas for this week to increase his vocabulary. Great ideas.
SO happy you found the ideas helpful Samantha! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I hope they prove helpful with your little one xx
I love how you use nature to expand language development! I use big words around my daughter too. I remember my grandmother always used words that I didn’t always understand, but eventually they became familiar and when they came up in school I was set! 🙂
I thank you for this….I really wish more teachers of young children (toddlers specifically) understand that it is not about flash cards and I-pads with flash cards for learning the ABC’s but creating a strong base of vocabulary in a hands on way!
Thank you very much for your comment Kimberly! Introducing little ones to rich oral language is so very important – I definitely agree!
What a neat post, Sarah! I do a lot of this with my little ones as well, though I never thought of it in a structured way like this.
I love this!
So glad you do Heather! Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know.
Nature is a teacher and everyday, every season has something to teach all of us. I can not agree with you more that language skills are the basis for all other development to be enhanced. I am a early childhood provider for infants and toddlers and I take them out daily to enjoy nature’s goodness. There is no better way to stir all their developmental skills than nature. Thank you for your posts. I enjoyed them. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment and kind words Vanessa. I can tell your little ones are very lucky to have you.
Great post. I totally agree with you, nature is the best teacher.And language skills can be significantly improved by these techniques.
Thanks for sharing this informative post.