Fill a box with everyday items from your home that you and your child can talk about.
This activity is great for teaching your child about the words for common items and what they're used for. Find out more about this fun activity by watching the video below.
How to play tap tap box
All you need to play this game with your child is any box with a lid on it which can be easily opened by children. If you're feeling creative, you can decorate it with wrapping paper, cardboard or your child's drawings.
Fill your box with lots of magical everyday items that you can chat about with your toddler.
Create some excitement before you reveal an item from the box. You could sing or say "tap, tap, tap, what's in the box?" or something similar. Maybe try a drum roll on the lid.
Take one item out at a time and chat about it with your toddler. What does it look like? What does it do? What colour is it? There are loads of questions you can ask.
Swap the items in the box regularly to keep this game fun and interesting. You could fill it with food or animals or even names of nursery rhymes that you can sing together. The possibilities are endless with this activity.
How this supports your child's learning
Using and repeating single words, babies will gradually link the word to its meaning. This will encourage babies sounds and babbling and help them to recognise everyday words.
Our top tip for language learning
Try to use an animated voice and facial expressions when chatting to your toddler. It'll help them remember all the new words that you're teaching them throughout the game.
Mix it up with your tap tap box
- Children might want to hide something in there for you to take out for them.
- You could try making up a story using the objects that you have picked from the box.
- If you child is older, help them sort objects into colours and say the names of the colours as you put them into different categories.
Not sure what activity to try next? Check out our activity selector, that will help you find the best activity for your child based on their mood.
Image caption, Create some excitement before you reveal an item from the box.
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