How much and how well a child can talk will change a great deal between the ages of 13 and 24 months. Later success in school is linked strongly to how much language a young child has heard. Some adults who spend a lot of time with young children feel uncomfortable talking to them. What can you talk about? Talk about what you are doing or seeing. "I am changing your diaper because it is wet. Now you will be dry." "See the leaf on the ground. It is red and orange. It fell from that tree." You can talk about cause and effect. "The floor is dirty. I will sweep it. Then it will be clean again." Talk about anything and everything, but don't talk all the time. Children need time to sort out their thoughts, to give total attention to their play or to learn a new skill.

Activities for little ones under 3 years old.

• Numbers-Make a game of counting fingers and toes, toys and crackers. Begin with one each time. Sing simple number songs or chant simple number rhymes.
  
• Shape, Size and Color-Talk about the size and shape of everything. "The ball is round." Get the scoop. Remember that children can match colors before they can name them. Say things like, "Find a blue ball like this one." Compare colors like, "You have brown shoes. I have brown pants."
  
• Qualities-Talk about rough and smooth, hard and soft, big and little. Children need lots of experiences to learn qualities. As you describe experiences for the child, learning may take place even if the child just listens and doesn't choose to repeat your words.
  
• Directions-Help children learn words like up and down, in and out, under and over. Play simple hiding games. Ask, "Are you under there?" Children learn words like up best through the actual experience of being up, either on the top of a step or low ladder.

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