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.