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Toddlers love to talk, for the most part. They're always playing, and as their imaginations grow, they repeat scenarios over and over, much like an adult worrying, only their having fun. Another difference is that they do it out loud.

I have found that these times are perfect opportunities to teach them some building blocks they'll need later. They think of it as a game, and an added bonus? It stops me from having to sing Dora songs to them in a public store.

When they were younger, we did colors. What color are these carrots? How about the beans? What color is your shirt? How about Dulce's shirt? What about mama's shirt?

By doing this, you're not only teaching them colors, but possessives and nouns. They begin to understand that when a shirt is on mommy, it's mommy's shirt, whereas a shirt on Natalina is Natalina's shirt. As you continue to use me, mine, you, yours, they begin to understand that when a shirt is on mommy, it's mommy's shirt, and when they're talking to mommy, they refer to it as your shirt. They begin to understand that when a shirt is on Natalina, it's Natalina's shirt, or (in Natalina's case) my shirt.

These are huge concepts that are hard to swallow all at once and that lay the groundwork for communication.

Now that the babies are older, we "read" letters when we see them, or count, or I'll ask them what sound a letter makes and they'll make the correct (or incorrect) sound associated with the letter.

It's a calm game that requires little effort on the part of the adult, but teaches children in a way that seems fun.

I do it because I like to see them grow in their communication skills, but I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention that I do it to keep my sanity, when I'm tired of repeating the same songs or baby games over and over and over and over and over and over and ... you get the point.

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