The Power of Routines with Babies and Young Children to Develop Language

Taking the time to sit down and find a game to stimulate our child's language is not always easy, I agree. With work, meals, bath time, getting dressed, household chores, daycare and everything else, we sometimes have little time (and energy) left to add "play with Coco" to the day. But did you know that it's not always necessary?

Without knowing it, you already have a very valuable tool that can stimulate language at your fingertips: your routines.

That's right! Who doesn't have a routine to pleasantly lead their child to bed or to make bath time fun? These daily routines are excellent ways to teach your young child new words, to invite them to interact with you, or to help them lengthen their sentences.

What is considered a routine?

According to the book "It Takes Two to Talk" (1) by the Hanen Centre in Toronto,

All routines share four common elements:

• They are composed of specific steps.

• These steps are always repeated in the same order.

• They are repeated many times.

• Participants have specific roles.

Thus, everyday routines, like those mentioned above, respect these four elements. In addition, some games or songs that many families use or invent with their child can also be routines. For example, playing "peek-a-boo," hide-and-seek, or chasing your child to catch and tickle them are small "people routines" that are equally interesting to consider.

Why are routines effective?

1. By their very nature, routines involve actions repeated regularly, daily, and in a natural and pleasant environment for the child. The repetition of words is a key factor in language learning.

2. Over time, the steps of routines become known to the child. They can then focus their attention on the words heard during the routine rather than on the sequence of events.

3. Finally, since the child knows the steps of the routine, they can more easily participate in it, as they know what they need to do to become more active in the exchange.

How to better stimulate our child's language through a routine?

1. Take the time to name the routine before doing it. And be careful! Always use the same words, especially at the beginning.

2. Break down the routine into small steps. Say a word or a short phrase for each step or action performed. This way, the child can see, feel, and associate the words with the actions they are doing or that you are doing.

3. Once the child knows the routine well and the gestures or words associated with it, interrupt it in the middle or just before the end and wait for the child's reaction. Since they know what happens next, there's a good chance they will participate by performing the next action and using the words you usually use.

4. Always end in the same way. Use the same words, sounds, or actions. The end of a routine is often its climax, and children often enjoy taking their turn at this moment. This gives them a "little power." Moreover, they then know that the routine is over, and if they want to start it again, they will know when to ask you for it!

So, here is a simple, effective, and accessible tool that we wanted to share with you today.

(1) "It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Language Delays," by Pepper, J. and Weitzman, E., The Hanen Program, 2004, p. 68.