By Holly Engel-Smothers
By the time your twins are a year old, they have developed a "listening vocabulary." They understand many things you say regarding familiar routines, items, and toys. Some examples of words your twins may understand relate to pet names, preferred toys, food and drink, family members, familiar pictures, and animal sounds.
In their brains, they have made many connections between words and the objects they represent. It is exciting when your little ones can identify a dog in a story, but for them to translate that into a real-life dog is a huge milestone. Point out things from your stories when you come across them in your day-to-day routines. A walk, a trip to the zoo, and a visit to Grandma's house allow for occasions to verbalize pieces from favorite stories and words they are learning.
To increase both expressive and listening vocabulary, create opportunities for your little "peas" to interact with stories when you read to them. Asking where questions is a good start. "Where is the pig?" "Where is the girl?" To take comprehension and verbalization to the next level, turn the question around a bit. Ask what questions like: "What is this?" while pointing to a picture. This allows for your children to express vocabulary and build upon it. Another way for your children to actively engage in the story is to ask who questions: "Who is Johnny?" "Who is at the zoo?"
Ask questions that have simple, one-word answers. Even though your twins may understand much, their little mouths, tongues, and teeth (or lack of) limit the ability to answer. But just as you see them progressing in their ability to walk, run (usually away from you!), climb steps, and pull a toy, their mouths' muscles get stronger with each speaking effort and verbal performance.
Do not expect your twins to articulate perfectly. They are not physically able to do it at this age. When your twins say a word like "hay" for "happy," accept this word without reprimand. But do repeat it correctly in a small sentence: "You are happy?" This reinforces their attempt in a positive way, models the correct annunciation, and adds to their vocabulary. Likewise, when they make a wide generalization, like calling anything round a "ball," model the word accurately. Pumpkins, rocks, ornaments, and wheels can all be referred to as a ball. Simply adjust to the correct word and, again, use it in a short sentence: "The pumpkin is big."
Your twins' vocabulary is being widened at incredible rates right now. In a notebook or baby book, write the date and list the words your children use. You can write words your little ones understand, too. It is neat to go back even a few weeks and see how much progress they have made.
An important note: Be aware of any ear pain or infections. Get
them treated immediately. It is crucial that the ears and, in effect, the
hearing, be clear in order for verbalization to be moving toward accuracy. Imagine
trying to hear when you are under water. The words don't sound quite right. During
this important milestone, your babies need every opportunity to hear words
spoken correctly.
Keep talking, keep reading, and keep it positive!
[NOTE FROM SUSAN HEIM: This article is one of many from parent educator and mom of twins (and a twingle), Holly Engel-Smothers, who will be sharing her wisdom and expertise on the subject of reading through this "Literacy for All" column, which will appear on a regular basis on TwinsTalk.]