As a parent, you play a crucial role in the language development of your little ones. Daily habits like talking and reading together are important, and incorporating other games and activities can be another fun way to help your child expand their vocabulary. We've put together a list of our favorite activities that you can use to support your child's language development at home.

Reading books together is a great daily habit, but by breaking out some old family photos you can make your child and family the main character. Instead of a storybook, try looking through family photos and telling your child stories about what was happening in each one. Many little ones enjoy hearing stories about themselves and their family members, and you can pause as you go to ask them what they see in the photos.

Next time you go on a walk with your child - whether around the block, the grocery store, or even just around the house - try doing a "Name Safari" together. For younger infants, this might just look like you describing what you see around you as they watch and listen. For toddlers, you might encourage your child to repeat after you when you name the objects you see, or you might go back and forth describing the scene to one another. Don't hesitate to be specific with your language as you go, as using more specific names (think "golden retriever" rather than "dog") will help your young one build up their vocabulary.

For an easy language activity using objects from around the house, try putting together a basket of five or six related objects to create a "Treasure Basket." You could use figurines for this, but ordinary household objects like kitchen utensils work just as well. Then, you and your child can play with the objects together as you ask questions, narrate, and discuss the play. This is a great opportunity for your child to learn some new words in a fun and playful context.

Another fun activity using household objects is a "hide-and-seek"-esque game we call "Where is My...?" You and your child can take turns taking an item from around the house and hiding it from one another. Then, you and your child can discuss as you search for the hidden item (i.e. "Is the cup behind the curtain? No!"). If your child is younger, be sure to pick a visible or easily findable location as your hiding place to minimize frustration.

Singing is a great way to support language and literacy, as we know that it helps little ones learn to decode sounds and build their vocabularies. Daily routines like teeth brushing or getting dressed can be a great opportunity to work songs into your busy schedule, and singing about these activities while you do them can actually help move your child toward independence in those tasks. No need to compose the next big hit - a simple tune and some rhymes about the actions making up these daily rituals is all you need for a great opportunity for language development and connection with your child.

If your child is regularly having screen time, there are some easy steps you can take to maximize the language development potential from it. Though many kids' shows and movies do contain some opportunities for learning, we know that young toddlers don't learn nearly as well from them as they do from real-life interactions. Still, media can expose kids to many new situations and the vocabulary that comes along with them. By talking to your child about what they watch, you can turn this into an opportunity for real learning - research has shown that young children learn more vocabulary and score higher on story comprehension when they've discussed the media they've watched with a parent. Whether you watch alongside them and discuss as you go, or chat when they've finished an episode, making conversations about media a part of your daily routine is a great step toward making the most of screen time.

When you don't have the chance to watch alongside your kids, try using 

 to learn background on episodes and get inspiration for discussions.

6 Activities for Supporting Your Toddler's Language Development

When it comes to teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), experts say the earlier the better. Introducing STEM toys to your kids can provide an array of benefits, from supporting problem solving skills and introducing kids to scientific concepts, to fostering a positive attitude toward learning more broadly. A wide range of STEM-related toys available today make it easy to make learning fun for your kids, and we’ve rounded up our favorites for kids from preschoolers to teens.

These colorful magnetic shapes let kids express their creativity by creating anything from simple shapes to complicated patterns and three-dimensional structures. Though they’re a bit pricey, they have great potential to truly grow with your child and provide years of fun play. As they build, your children will be learning fine motor, spatial, and creative skills, in addition to math skills like pattern recognition and geometric shapes.

You can’t go wrong with traditional wooden blocks, but these balancing blocks are a fun twist. As children learn to stack and balance these blocks, they’ll be developing their engineering and basic science skills.

Encourage observation and curiosity with a microscope set for your child. For preschoolers, the GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope lets you take a closer look at objects you find around the house or outside, encouraging observation of close-up textures and colors. For slightly older children, sets like the Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope encourage scientific exploration with extras like an activity journal, dissection tools, and slides.

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope (Ages 3+), $21.99

Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope (Ages 8+), $34.99

This human body set lets kids learn about the human body’s systems and organs while also promoting hand-eye coordination and imaginative play. If your child likes playing doctor, this is a great set to help them learn even more about the human body.

Melissa and Doug Magnetic Human Body Play Set, $12.99

Osmo combines physical pieces with a tablet program, providing kids with a hands-on and active learning experience. They provide a range of starter kits and add-on games for children of different ages and interests, and they target learning objectives including math, coding, and literacy. Tangible experiences are key to learning, so I love the hands-on aspect of Osmo.

Kids use a Tap Pen Controller to control the mTiny robot, supporting logical thinking and problem-solving skills in an interactive and fun way. The mTiny Robot is great for providing a screen-free introduction to coding, and its activities also foster interest in math, English, music, and more.

Makeblock mTiny Early Children Education Robot, $149.00

The Dash robot is another great tangible option for introducing your kids to computer science skills. The robot comes with sensors that allow it to respond to the world around it, as well as bluetooth that lets it communicate with an array of accompanying apps. Add-ons and accessories, from a building kit to a xylophone, provide a variety of playful learning experiences as kids learn the fundamentals of coding.

Normal LEGOs are great for all ages, but the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox takes things to the next level, giving kids the opportunity to build their own robot. Kids can build and rebuild the robot into five models, then code it to do various activities. For kids who enjoy building with blocks and LEGOs, this kit is another great option for introducing coding skills in a fun way.

This tools-free circuit kit lets kids tackle circuit challenges or let their creativity run free. The kit comes with an assortment of pieces including a radio module and an LED display, providing nearly limitless possibilities for creation. Kids will learn about how circuits work while also developing positive attitudes toward engineering.

The Piper Computer Kit lets kids build their very own computer, then use it to code their own games. In such a computer-filled world, I love that this kit gives kids a look at what’s behind the screen and how computers work. Your kids will feel a sense of ownership over their project while also developing their design thinking, computational thinking, and creativity skills.

This book is a hands-on guide to exploring chemistry using materials you’re likely to have in your own kitchen. Kids will make their own treats while working their way through surprising and interesting activities, all while learning about the chemistry in their own kitchen.

Exploring Kitchen Science: 30+ Edible Experiments, $14.95

KiwiCo Tinker Crate (Ages 9+) & Eureka Crate (Ages 14+)

KiwiCo makes fantastic developmentally appropriate activity boxes for kids of all ages, and their Tinker and Eureka Crates are no exception, providing STEM-focused activities for older kids and teens. These kits encourage kids to experiment, innovate, and think about the designs behind everyday objects while they’re working on projects like a hydraulic claw or a wooden instrument.

KiwiCo Tinker Crate, Starting from $16.95/month

KiwiCo Eureka Crate, Starting from $24.95/month

Crystal Growing Experimental Kit (Ages 10+)

This kit is a great option for any kids showing an interest in rocks or geology, and it provides everything they need to complete seven different crystal growth experiments. Afterward, they can show off their creations in the crystal display cases.

Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit, $21.92

CanaKit Raspberry Pi Starter Kit (Ages 14+)

For more advanced tech-minded teenagers, a Raspberry Pi starter kit provides a fun and challenging opportunity to build your very own computer. Though it’ll be a bit more complicated than the packaged kits for kids mentioned earlier in this guide, it’ll provide teens with nearly limitless possibilities for creation with technology.

Holiday Gift Guide: STEM Gifts for Kids

With the holidays just around the corner, I put together a gift guide highlighting some of the great educational toys and activities I've seen out there this year. 

Tender Leaf Toys Touch Feely Animal Puzzle (available on Maisonette): 

Very Hungry Caterpillar jumbo jigsaw puzzle: 

Piper Kit: Currently sold out, but the 2019 edition is available for 35% off here 

Holiday Gift Guide: Educational Gifts for Kids

In today's media-filled world, traditional strict screen time guidelines aren't practical for many families. With COVID-19 put on top of that, I've heard from many parents who are feeling guilty about the amount of screen time their kids are getting. The most important thing for parents to know is that 

 Sometimes having your kids watch TV for an hour so you can relax or get something else done is much needed, and you should never have to feel guilty for something that helps make your days a little bit more doable in the uncertain times we're living in.

Of course it's important to balance screen time with screen-free play and active time, but the truth is that "screen time" is not all the same. With so many great educational games, shows, and other types of media available, there are seemingly endless options for using screen time to support your child's learning from social and emotional skills to reading and math.

However, research has shown us that consuming this media alone might not actually help children learn and develop their social and emotional skills. The good news is that there are some easy steps parents can take to help their kids take more away from what they watch. With these tips in mind, you can rest easy that your child's media use can be as positive an experience for them and their development as possible.

With so many options out there marketing themselves as "educational," it's worth taking a few minutes to do your research on the shows and games that your child spends time with. Look for information on learning objectives, research and theoretical backing, and outcomes if they're available. Common Sense Media is a great place to learn about a show's content and even find shows that emphasize certain themes, and 

Interacting with media alongside your child is a surefire way to increase their learning from that experience. While you're watching a show or video, you can ask your child questions about parts of the show that are interesting or relevant to your family's values, and model that you're thinking critically about the media you're watching while doing so. If you're playing a game together, think about modeling traits like good sportsmanship. Even for media that isn't explicitly educational, creating a social experience around it can go far in teaching your child real lessons.

Coviewing isn't always possible for busy parents, but some of its benefits can still be captured by having a conversation later in the day. Dinnertime, car rides, or before bed time can be great opportunities to ask your child about what they watched or played today and what they stood out to them. You can show curiosity by asking them follow-up questions, and help them connect lessons to real life by asking questions that relate the show back to them. Research has indicated that young children especially require this social interaction to truly absorb the social and emotional lessons in children's media, and these conversations have been shown to benefit literacy development as well.

Deep conversations about shows and movies can be tricky for parents when you haven't had the chance to watch yourself, but ConnectEDKid's guides and discussion resources can be a great way to get a little bit of background on what you might want to talk about. Browse our shows 

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6 Activities for Supporting Your Toddler's Language Development

Holiday Gift Guide: STEM Gifts for Kids

Holiday Gift Guide: Educational Gifts for Kids

Conquering Screen Time Guilt: Tips to Support Your Child's Learning with Media

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