Explore a treasure box

Exploring a treasure box with your toddler is a fun and engaging way to familiarise them with a new language. Using a treasure box adds excitement to the activity and keeps them interested.

Here are steps for using a treasure box to aid language learning among toddlers:

• Create a colourful box and fill it with small objects, toys, and household items related to the language you want the child to learn.
• Allow your toddler to take the lead in picking any object they are interested in, and encourage a conversation about that object.
• Before moving on to the next item, help your child understand what an object, word, or picture means.
• Hide the items from the treasure box around the room or play area. Use simple phrases in the target language as clues.
• As the child discovers each item, use the opportunity to name the object in the target language. Repeat the word several times, and encourage the child to repeat it after you.
• Change the items in the treasure box regularly to introduce new terms and keep the exercise fresh and entertaining.

Engaging in conversations about different objects can help improve your child’s vocabulary. Discovering novel and unusual objects with others provides opportunities to use descriptive language, which can enhance your child’s language skills. Playing with a treasure box is an excellent method to practice and improve focus and attention span.