Pointing it out – how pointing helps your baby learn to talk
Communication involves much more than talking, and just as your baby will learn different ways to use words as they talk more and more, they are also learning different ways to use gestures. 'One of these is pointing, and there are several types of point you'll see.
Pointing to ask for something (imperative pointing)
Your toddler learns verbs better when doing – pun intended
When learning verbs, involving your toddler by showing them what the actions mean hugely supports their understanding. Verbs can’t be linked to an object, like nouns, so when we are talking about cooking, running or, say, throwing, toddlers need to see the verb in action.
When your toddler hears a verb for the first time their brain processes its meaning and association to the world.[1]
Words just keep coming and coming...
Babies, toddlers and children need to hear and interact with language to help them learn.[1] Language is necessary for neuronal development. We know that children understand and learn words better when they talk with you and others and when they listen to familiar voices, so let’s delve into why it’s good to reflect on how children learn words.
During the early years, children learn lots of words, and language is important for brain development.
Fast mapping and fast learning – your toddler’s motoring when it comes to words
In the late 1970s, a research study into how children learn words became a lead paper within the field of psychology. According to the study done by psychologists Susan Carey and Elsa Bartlet, children can pick up words and their meanings even after hearing them just once. Yes, you know some of the words this covers! This process of learning was referred to as "fast mapping." The study holds weight today, with many studies stemming from the original paper.
Fast mapping means when a child hears a word, they’ll pick it up quickly, even if they are not familiar with its meaning.[1]
Oh no! There goes the cup again!
Being aware of our body and its size is important in many aspects of life; it helps us judge things like how close to get to people when chatting and how far to reach when picking things up. Now that your toddler is becoming aware of their body size, they may realise they are too small to reach the kitchen surface, or their arms are longer than they realise when they go to pick up their drink, or they are too big for their doll’s buggy.
To gain awareness of body position your toddler relies on sensory information received from muscles, joints and limbs.
Playfulness, you and your toddler
Your toddler’s playfulness is growing, but what about your own? We know that toddlers love to invite their most loved ones to play with them, and while you might be tempted to answer something like, “I’ll be with you in a minute,” let’s think about how play benefits you, your toddler and their learning.
Dr Stuart Brown, a leading researcher on play, says that “We are built to play and built by play.”[1]
Stepping out – the challenges and benefits of outside stairs and surfaces
Spending time outside is remarkably beneficial for you and your toddler. Some of the skills they are working towards right now are far more easily achieved in the great outdoors; it can offer a freedom that being inside just can't quite match.
Now that your toddler is walking downstairs with more confidence, getting outdoors to practise this skill can be much more exciting.
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness, by Kerascoët
What can we say...? This wordless picture book is simply fantastic. It is perfect for teaching children about kindness and helping other people. If you’re new to wordless picture books, don’t worry, by following the pictures and the emotions of the characters’ faces, the story easily draws you in.
Vanessa is a little girl who moves to a new home and starts a new school. At the beginning of the story, we can see that Vanessa is lonely and she runs into some trouble with a classmate.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
Can thinking about actions now help future decision-making?
Your toddler is beginning to understand and learn more about how their actions affect what happens next. The more they play and explore in this way, the better they will become at thinking how to do things.
Cause and effect will always be an exciting phase of learning; as your toddler grows, they constantly learn more about how their actions can cause something else to happen.
