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Return to Course Home LSL Strategies Part 4: Play-By-Play

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Image with text that reads, “Examples for Filling Your Baby's World with Language.” Click to play the video.

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Keep Filling Your Baby's World With Language By Using Play-By-Play

As you practice the Play-By-Play strategy each day – at home or on the go – you’ll quickly see how many words are just waiting to be spoken in the routines you share with your baby!

The next time you take your baby for a check-up with the pediatric audiologist or go to the store, try using the Play-By-Play strategy.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • As you get ready to leave, talk about where you’re going and what you’re bringing.

    You could say, "We're going to the store. I need my keys. We also need our bags."

  • Talk about actions, feelings, and sounds.

    As you get your baby ready and load up the car, talk through what you’re doing. You could say, “Let’s put you in your car seat. One strap, two straps over your arms. Let’s close the buckles – click, click.” If your baby gets fussy, name their feelings by saying something like, "Don't be sad, we're going on an adventure!"

  • Sing a little tune as you’re driving.

    If your baby is in a rear-facing car seat, singing is a great way to let them know that you’re there. You could sing, "Driving, driving, driving to the store. The sign says stop – now we get to go."

  • Make it fun.

    As you walk through the grocery store, give a play-by-play of the items you’re picking up. Be a Drama Mama or Dramatic Daddy and have fun describing fruits and vegetables. You could say, "Ohhhh, that apple smells sooo good, mmmmm!"

What Do You Notice?

What you observe matters! New experiences add lots of new sounds, words, and learning moments for your baby. Take note of how your little one listens and responds to your play-by-plays during new adventures and share it with your professional team.

  • How does your baby respond to your fun voice as you talk during different routines?
  • Reflect on the types of words you’re using with your baby. Are you using words to describe objects, actions, thoughts, and feelings?
  • Notice any patterns in how your baby responds to familiar routines. Do they lift their arms when you say that you’ll pick them up?
  • What do you notice when you pause and wait for your baby to take a turn?

Pro Parent Tip!

Remote microphones can make listening easier in the car and on the go when there may be more noise than usual. Talk to your baby’s pediatric audiologist about remote microphone options for your little one.

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LSL Strategies Part 4: Play-By-Play

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