Sometimes being a parent can feel a little weird.
You might find yourself standing in the produce section, talking out loud about strawberries to a child who is far too young to answer you. Or maybe you catch yourself explaining why you chose the yellow bell pepper instead of the red one.
And suddenly you think, Am I really standing here talking to the produce?
Yes.
Let your freak out.
Those everyday moments are actually wonderful opportunities to support your young child’s language development.
One strategy we can use is sometimes called verbal mapping or “sportscasting.” The basic idea is simple: take what you are thinking, seeing, and doing and put it into words.
You don’t need to turn every trip to the grocery store into a lesson. You are simply giving your child opportunities to hear language connected to the world around them.
For example:
“Hmm… the yellow and orange peppers cost more than the red peppers.”
Or:
“We need strawberries. Let’s find the strawberries.”
You can also describe what your child is doing as they play and explore:
“You’re walking with your baby.”
“You found the big red truck!”
“You’re putting the trash in the truck.”
“You pushed it really fast!”
These simple descriptions help children begin connecting words with people, objects, actions, and experiences.
And here’s the important part: your child doesn’t have to be able to respond yet for this to be valuable.
Babies and young children are constantly taking in information. They are listening to the sounds of language, noticing patterns, and slowly building connections between the words they hear and the world around them.
You don’t need fancy toys or special lessons.
The grocery store can be a language lesson.
A walk around the neighborhood can be a language lesson.
Changing a diaper can be a language lesson.
Playing with a cardboard box can be a language lesson.
You are already doing so many things with your child. Try adding a few words to those moments.
So the next time you catch yourself talking about the price of bell peppers to a baby who can’t answer you, don’t worry about feeling a little awkward.
You’re not being weird.
You’re giving your child language.
And honestly, that’s a pretty great reason to let your freak out.