Goodnight, little one!
We know that we had a fun day with our little ones at the end of every night, but are ready to put them to bed! Bedtime routines are a great way to get that last language boost before the day is over!
Try incorporating these language-rich activities into your nightly routine:
Read books every night before you put your little one to bed. With shorter toddler books, 3 is a good number. As the books get longer, it's more appropriate to read just one or two. It's also beneficial to read the same book a few times in a row (instead of different books)! The repetition makes the language predictable and helps your child learn/use new words.
Come up with a fun teeth-brushing song to make the nightly task more fun! Making chores part of a song helps your child predict and learn the steps!
Before saying goodnight, sing a song or ask your little one their favorite part of the day. At first, you may have to take turns by saying a sentence for them, "My favorite part of the day was the park! Your favorite part of the day was… " PAUSE and wait for a response. You can also give choices. Was your favorite part bubbles or the park? If your little one is not talking yet, a bedtime song is a wonderful and predictable way to interact with your baby, while also exposing them to language.
Every night come up with a fun "goodnight" phrase to say to your little ones before you leave their room ("I love you!" "Sweet dreams!" "You're my sunshine!"). Adding this simple and predictable piece to your routine not only signals that it's time to sleep but eventually allows them to verbalize a familiar phrase.
What are your favorite bedtime routines?
