Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Water Fun  

Did you know that playtime is how little ones learn? It’s true! During all the laughter and fun, your child’s brain is learning and growing, helping your child reach their developmental milestones.  

For your child who is deaf or hard of hearing, you can use playtime to practice their listening and talking skills. With some simple Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) strategies and techniques, you can turn playtime into a fun learning experience! Read below about how you can play the LSL way using water with your child at any age or stage.  

Baby 

Dive into the world of water and see how much fun your baby can have! Your baby will LOVE to play with water – and touch it, see it, and taste it. Take advantage of their curiosity and delight for some listening and language opportunities with these ideas. 

Splish-Splash 

Spread a large towel on the floor and seat your baby between your legs. Use a cookie sheet with a little water and an ice cube or two. Use the Hear It Before They See It LSL strategy and say “splash-splash!” before you splash the water. 

Give baby a turn! Once they start imitating you to splash, describe what they’re doing with the Play-by-Play LSL strategy. “You’re splashing! Splash-splash!” 

Soap Up and Sing! 

Make water play a fun, engaging activity to bond with your little one and grow their brain for listening. Try this! Fill a plastic bin with water, add some soap, and gather your baby’s favorite plastic toys to give them a bath.  

Talk about each toy as you wash it.  

• "Let’s wash the truck! It is soooo dirty from driving."  
• "Let’s wash the apple! We need to make it clean so that it is good to eat. Chomp! Chomp!” 
• “Let’s wash the animals! The cow needs a bath. What does the cow say?… “Mooooo!” 

You can even float a toy boat while singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Then start to use the Hear It Before They See It (or audition first) strategy. Start singing before you touch the boat. Does your baby reach for it to make it move? 

There are so many ways to play 

Playtime can be purposeful when you incorporate tried-and-true LSL strategies and techniques! Not only are you building your bright baby’s listening, learning, and talking skills, but you’re also creating precious memories and a special bond together! 

Toddlers 

Toddlers LOVE to play with water! These activities offer great ways to engage little ones and provide rich opportunities to develop language, foster creativity, and encourage learning! 

Make a Splash! 

It’s important for your child to practice with all kinds of action words. Think of all the great actions you and your toddler can do with water! Water can be poured, dripped, sprayed, sprinkled, frozen, melted, and splashed. Think ahead about what words and actions you might want your child to learn while playing. The many words you use will expand their vocabulary and their understanding of language. 

Dive Into Learning 

Introduce your terrific toddler to the “deep-sea diver” game. Start with a bucket filled with water. Drop small toys, animals, or common household objects into the water. Describe the objects as your child puts them in the water. “In goes the metal spoon.” This gives your child practice with new vocabulary. 

There are so many ways to play 

Playtime can be purposeful when you incorporate tried-and-true LSL strategies and techniques! Not only are you building your toddler’s listening, learning, and talking skills, but you’re also creating precious memories and a special bond together! 

Preschooler 

Water play offers endless ways to develop language, foster creativity, and encourage learning. 

Sink or Float? 

To play the sink or float game, gather items that sink like coins, keys, stones, and metal spoons. Then, collect items that float like rubber balls, crayons, popsicle sticks, and bathtub toys. Before adding an object to a plastic tub or bowl of water, talk with your child about the items and predict if you think the item will sink to the bottom or float on top. 

How’s The Weather? 

Take advantage of the changing weather to grow your child’s vocabulary and listening skills. Describe what’s happening outside – is it sunny, hot, cool, cloudy, humid, breezy? What happens when it’s raining? There might be a sprinkle, a drizzle, or a downpour. 

Dive Into Learning  

The pool isn’t just for fun – it’s also overflowing with learning opportunities! As you pack for the pool, invite your preschooler to join you by brainstorming a list of what you need to bring. You’ll build their auditory memory as you name items like sunscreen, towel, hat, and goggles. You can even turn the list into a song to make it easier to remember. Then, have your child gather the items as you sing.  

Learn Through Play Every Day 

Your child can learn through play each and every day when you add in LSL strategies and techniques to simple activities! As you play outside together, with music, and with water, you and your playful preschooler will make fun memories and lay a strong foundation for their learning and talking skills.