Teddy Bear Birthday Party
Prep:聽10 Minutes / Activity Time: 10 Minutes
Between 24鈥痑nd鈥�35 months, many children start to combine two and three word phrases, such as 鈥渁ll gone,鈥� 鈥渄addy bye-bye鈥� and 鈥渕ore milk.鈥� It鈥檚 important to speak to your child in full sentences as much as possible. But during this special Teddy Bear Birthday Party, you and your child will communicate using two- and three-word phrases!
- Teddy bears and several other stuffed animals聽
- Small table or blanket on the floor to have 鈥渂irthday cake鈥澛�
- Paper plates and glasses, plastic silverware, party favors (optional)
Step 1:鈥�Set up a table or blanket with props to have a pretend birthday party (e.g., paper plates and glasses, party favors). Bring a few stuffed animal friends to the party.鈥� 鈥€�
Step 2:鈥�Tell your child you are going to have a pretend birthday party with your friends.鈥�
Step 3:鈥�You might even identify the stuffed animal friend who is having a birthday and sing Happy Birthday to him!鈥�
Step 4:鈥€疶hen, sit down and chat with your child using two- and three-word phrases. For example, you might hand her your paper cup and say, 鈥淢ore milk,鈥� or hand her the plate and say, 鈥淐ake, please.鈥� You could turn your cup upside down and say, 鈥渁ll gone鈥� or point to another stuffed animal and say, 鈥渓ion wants cake."鈥�
Step 5:鈥�See if your child understands what you are saying and chimes in with some requests of her own.鈥�
Step 6:鈥�When you鈥檙e done, say 鈥淏ye-bye! Going home.鈥�
Reduce the number of requests you make or offer very obvious visual or gestural cues.鈥�
Increase the number of words in your sentences. Encourage your child to speak in longer, more complex sentences.