Always try to Be a Bird Dog. In other words, always point out sounds and name them.

This strategy goes along with Be a Director. After you use Be a Director to direct your child to listen, you'll go a step further. Name the sound, imitate it, and pause to see how your baby reacts. Then label the sound and talk more about it. You're connecting the sound with a name and language describing it.

What It Looks Like

  • Direct your baby to "Listen! (pause) I hear that, (pause) I hear an airplane!"
  • Pause and point toward the object.
  • If your child is younger, imitate the sound. "Ahhhhh!"
  • Then add a comment, using a simple sentence. "The airplane is flying. It's flying high! The airplane is flying fast."
Icon for Be a Bird Dog LSL Strategy

When you use Be a Bird Dog you're focusing on auditory attention and promoting knowledge of spoken language.

Read More About It

Learn more about how to Be a Bird Dog with our helpful handout, LSL Day By Day: Point Out Sound.

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