CVCV (consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel) words; Waterfront

When children are about 24 months old, they begin to use the word formation of CVCV (consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel), such as "puppy" and "cookie."  The Language Development Survey (LDS) by L. Rescorla lists frequently used words by two-year-olds.  In order to facilitate spontaneous use of these words, I recommend targeting them at the Waterfront because many of the CVCV words from the survey can be found there.  This activity is great for children with normally developing language as well as those with language delays.

Image retrieved from http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/10/04/joint-venture-closes-on-buying.html?page=all

Below are some words from the LDS that can be practiced at the Waterfront.  To practice, ask your child to label the items.  For example, if you see a cookie at Panera Bread, point to the cookie behind the glass and ask your child, "What's that?"  The answer should be "cookie."  If you would like to build your child's language, you can model phrases like "big cookie" or "yummy cookie."  Try elicit each word several times in order to get lots of practice.  More information on two word phrases will be covered in a later post.

Cookie (May be found at Panera Bread, Giant Eagle, Target, Starbucks)

Image retrieved from http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/9/126106/69449/atlanta-panera-bread-double-chocolate-walnut-cookie-photo; photo credit "Barney."

Coffee (May be found at Panera Bread, Starbucks, Giant Eagle, Target, Barnes and Noble...and yes, "coffee" really is a word two-year-olds use!)

Image retrieved from http://news.techgenie.com/latest/starbucks-app-for-iphone/.

Baby (May be identified by a baby doll at Target, a picture of a baby at Carter's/The Children's Place, or a passerby's baby)

Image retrieved from http://www.babysleepsite.com/tag/baby-sleep-stroller/; posted by E. De Jeu.

Soda (May be found at Chick-fil-A, Eat'n Park, Costco, etc.)

Image retrieved from http://www.sodapoptops.com/soda-pop-tops-can-covers.

Daddy (May be identified as a passerby, in an advertisement at Dick's Sporting Goods/The Children's Place/Target)

Image retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Father_and_son_27.jpg.

Mommy, Lady (May be identified as a passerby, in an advertisement at Loft/Marshalls/Macy's)

Image retrieved from http://www.magforwomen.com/lovely-tips-on-starting-a-mother-child-club/.

Bunny, Puppy, Kitty (May be found live at Petco, or as stuffed animals at Target)

Image retrieved from http://www.spca.com/?page_id=66&lang=en.

Other CVCV words that may be encountered at the Waterfront include: yucky, rainy, gimme, money, dolly, belly, heavy, happy.  For more information on the LDS, visit this link: http://www.aseba.org/research/language.html.

Comparitives and Superlatives; Sandcastle Waterpark

Comparatives are used to compare two things: for example, "She is shorter than me."  Superlatives compare one thing to every other member of its category: for example, "She is the shortest girl in our grade."  Comparatives and superlatives are important elements of language because they allow children to make comparisons, which leads to critical reasoning and richer language.  Visuals often help children understand comparisons, and Sandcastle Waterpark is a great place to practice this time of year.

Image retrieved from http://waterparks.findthebest.com/l/302/Sandcastle-Waterpark-in-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania

To practice, start with a comparison of the rides.  Gauge your child's understanding of comparisons by asking her questions.  Ask your child which ride is the tallest, which ride has the longest line and which ride is the furthest away from where you are standing.  Take it a step further by listing three rides, then asking your child which ride is big; then ask her which ride is bigger; then ask her which ride is the biggest.

Next, move onto modeling comparative and superlatives for your child as you ride the rides.  For example, you may say, "The Blue Tubaluba was fast, the Boardwalk Blasters was faster, and the Lightning Express was the fastest."  You may also say, "The Blue Tubaluba was fast, but the Boardwalk Blasters was faster."

Finally, ask your child to make her own comparisons about which rides were wet/wetter/wettest, which water was warm/warmer/warmest, etc.

For the most advanced, practice irregular comparatives and superlatives: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst, little/less/least, famous/more famous/most famous.

*Tip: If you would like to get more language stimulation out of this activity, ask your child why she made the comparisons that she did.  For example, "Why was the wave pool the most fun?" or "Why do you think the Dragon's Den was the best ride?"