Language Game for Toddlers: Night Night, Baby

This is a fun and language-rich game for toddlers that I call Night Night, Baby.

Supplies:

baby doll
toy baby crib
baby doll blanket
baby doll bottle
baby doll bathtub
washcloth
towel
board books

How to Play the Game

1. Tell your toddlers that they are going to put their baby dolls to bed, but the babies are hungry. Ask, "What should we do?" Wait a moment, giving your toddlers time to process the question and formulate an answer. Some may sign "milk" or "eat." Others toddlers may hold up a toy baby bottle. Still others might verbalize their answer. Praise every effort, but encourage your toddlers to say, "Bottle for baby," as they hold the babies in their arms and pretend to feed them. Praise every child's effort.

2. Now tell your toddlers that the baby dolls need baths before bedtime. Ask, "What do we need to give baby a bath?" Again, some toddlers might show you the toy bathtub and washcloth, others might sign and some will verbalize their answers. Letting your students take turns giving their dolls pretends baths, encourage them to say, "Bath time for baby." Praise all verbal and non-verbal efforts.

3. Before bedtime, you will want to read the baby dolls a story. Ask your toddlers, "What do we need to read a story to the babies?" Wait for the signs, points and verbalizations of the word "book." Praise your students for their answers. Hand a board book to each student, saying, "Here's a book for Emily," and so on until all of your toddlers have one. Have your toddlers hold their baby dolls in their laps. Now tell them to pick up and open the book, saying "Read, read, read" to the baby dolls. Some may have the words memorized and be able to really "read" the story! Finally, encourage your students to say "the end" and close the board books.

4. Tell your students, "It's time to put the babies to bed. What do we need?" Let them answer you with signs, points or words, but afterwards encourage each of them to say the words "bed" and "blanket." Let your students put their baby dolls in the toy cribs. Instruct them to say the words, "night night, baby" or whatever bedtime phrase you prefer.

5. After the activity (while the baby dolls are sleeping), hold up an item that was used, such as the towel. Say the word "towel" and ask each student, one by one, to repeat the word. Do this with more items until your toddlers begin to lose interest.

Encourage your students' attempts at saying words throughout this activity. Always say, "Good talking!" or "Good words!"