Free family activity ·
Three little talks to have today
Every talk in Their First Conversations has the same shape: a grown-up says a line, there is a pause, and the child answers. You can have that shape at home with no screen at all. Here are three from the app’s own situations, each in two sizes: Little (ages 1 to 3, two lines) and Big Kid (ages 3 to 6, four lines with a second turn).
At breakfast
From the app’s Mealtime talks. Say your line while you are both at the table.
“Are you hungry?”
- Say your line once, and look at your child.
- Wait. The app leaves about five seconds for a Little and four for a Big Kid. Count them slowly in your head.
- Then say their answer for them, warmly, if it has not come: “Yes! I’m hungry.” Hearing it is part of learning it.
For a Big Kid, ask a little more and leave a second turn:
“Are you hungry? What do you want for breakfast?” … “Coming right up. Can you bring your plate?”
Their answers might be “Eggs and toast, please” and then “Yes, here it is!”, or anything else that fits.
Out and about
From Out & About. This one works with anything you pass: a dog, a bus, a bird.
“Look! What is that?”
Point, wait, and if nothing comes, answer for them: “A dog! It’s a little dog.” For a Big Kid, start wider and keep going:
“Look over there. What do you see?” … “Not this one, it’s behind the fence. Let’s wave.”
Their turns might be “A little dog! Can I pet it?” and “Okay! Look, it’s wagging its tail.”
At bedtime
From Bedtime, as the light goes out.
“Good night. I love you.”
The answer to leave room for is “I love you too.” A sleepy child may only smile or reach for you, and that is the answer tonight. For a Big Kid:
“Good night, sleep tight. I love you.” … “Yes, a little bit. Sweet dreams.”
Between those, their lines might be “I love you too. Will you leave the door open?” and “Sweet dreams. See you in the morning.”
Waiting, and what counts
- The pause is the point. It can feel long. Keep looking at your child and say nothing until it ends.
- Any reply counts: a word, a sound, pointing, a nod, or just listening. There is no wrong answer to correct.
- Say the answer anyway if it does not come, the way the app does, then move on. The next talk is another chance.
- Say it together the first few times. Children often join in once they know the line.
A second language at home. If your family speaks Spanish or Korean, have these talks in that language. The app has each one: “¿Tienes hambre?” and “¡Sí! Tengo hambre.” or “배고파?” and “네! 배고파요.” If you are learning the language with your child, play the talk in the app first; the English sits under every line. Then say the same two lines at the table.
Hear them first
All three talks, and fifty-seven more, are in Conversations, free in your browser. The parent questions cover Little and Big Kid, the pause, and what the app remembers.