10 SMART Tips

1. Talk. Talk. Talk. Children need to hear words many times before they can bring those words out of their own mouths. Verbalize everything you do from changing clothes to preparing food.

2. Repetition. Children need to hear the same thing many times before vocabulary sticks. Think about learning a new language, walking, running, playing piano. It all takes repetition to make it possible.

3. No baby talk. If you want a child to speak the language, don't change it to suit the child. Yes, you will say "bah-bah", "mom-mom", "dad-dad" when the child is an infant to stimulate speech, but once a child begins to say words, don't settle for a language that only you and he/she can understand. "B" may mean "bug" to you and your child, but it won't work in the real world. If he says "B", say "Yes, it's a bug."

4. Read. Read. Read. Children love to repeat a favorite book. Watch for books that the child seems to enjoy or responds to well, such as pointing at pictures or laughing. Read those often and expand their interests by adding new books weekly.

5. Show the child books and tasks that are beyond their current abilities. Just as you speak to a child before he can actually speak, you can show things like tying shoes before they can actually manipulate those fingers to accomplish it.

6. Explain what you are doing as you do it. Children do learn quickly when given proper stimulation. If you repeat the steps of tying shoes every time you put them on, the steps will seem very natural when the child actually begins to try it himself.

7. Offer a wide variety of experiences. New experiences give children a wide variety of ideas, memories, and possibilities for solutions. Books, flash cards, educational videos, and field trips give many educational opportunities for parents and children.

8. Consistency. Using words consistently will help children learn faster. Once they master a word, such as "bird", you can add, "Yes, it's a bird. It's also a "duck"."

9. Solicit help from the "village." There is a saying: It takes a village to raise a child. This means family, friends, community, schools, etc. all participate in the education of children. Don't be afraid to ask family and friends to help stimulate your child.

10. Encourage the child if he/she answers incorrectly. Don't be upset with wrong answers. Keeping your voice warm, friendly and non-threatening, simply say, "No. The dress is red." or "Yes, the kitchen is green, but her dress is red." This will encourage the child to try to give you the correct answers.

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