Daily Language Enrichment Checklist

Evidence-based strategies to maximize language input every day

Daily Language Enrichment Checklist

How to Use This

How to Use This: Review this checklist each evening and check off what you did today. Focus on building habits around 3-4 items first, then add more over time.

Research shows that conversational turns (back-and-forth exchanges) are the strongest predictor of language development. Use this daily checklist to ensure consistent language-rich interaction.

Morning Routine

Narrated morning activities while dressing, eating ('Now we're putting on your blue shirt')

Offered choices requiring communication ('Do you want banana or apple?')

Sang a song together or played a music game

During the Day

15 minutes of dialogic reading (ask questions, label pictures, wait for response)

Followed child's lead in play and narrated what they were doing

Used the 5-second wait rule after asking questions

Expanded child's utterances (+1-2 words: child says 'truck', you say 'big red truck!')

Created at least 3 communication opportunities (toy out of reach, forgot utensil, etc.)

No background TV during play and mealtimes

Mealtime

No screens at the table

Named foods and described them ('crunchy carrot', 'warm soup')

Asked questions about preferences and waited for response

Evening

Read together before bed (board books, picture books)

Talked about the day ('What was your favorite part today?')

Total screen time stayed within age-appropriate limits

Start Small

You don't need to do everything every day. Start with 3-4 items you consistently miss and build from there. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Next Steps

Next Steps: After 2-4 weeks of consistent daily enrichment, update your child's Word Inventory Tracker to measure vocabulary growth. If progress is slow despite consistent input, discuss a formal speech-language evaluation with your pediatrician.