1 - Help language grow:

• Ask your child to list the toys they would like. Get ideas from books, flyers, or catalogs (do they still even exist anymore?)
• Name each toy and talk about the different toys your child likes.
• Talk about what your child can do with each toy. Use action words (e.g., bounce, cook, draw).
• Compare two similar toys. Get your child to identify the reasons why they like each toy.
• Ask your child to prioritize and choose his 5 top picks. Talk through difficult choices (if your kid is anything like mine, there will be plenty of heartbreaking choices to make between the Spiderman with the ability to cling to walls or the other cool Spiderman with the spider webs).

Remember: Conversations in everyday activities help build reasoning and problem-solving skills.

2 - Help literacy grow:

• Talk about how we write a letter. Start with “Dear Santa”. Then, write your list. Finish the letter with their name/signature. Show them how to put the address on the envelope.
• For a younger child, make a “crafty” list”. Get your little one to cut and glue pictures of preferred toys on their list. Talk about the toys and point to each label if you are using pictures from flyers.
• Increase their print awareness. Pictures and symbols are the first steps to reading and writing.
• Point to pictures, symbols ($, numbers, etc.), and words beside each picture. As a true elf, “check it twice” re-read the list while pointing to each word on their list.
• Little ones can “practice” writing their name on the letter. Have your toddler trace their name. Preschoolers can practice writing their name on their own.
• Draw your child’s attention to the printed word and the first letter of the word. Get them to think about the sound that letter makes.
• Focus on early literacy conventions such as writing from left to right, starting at the top of the letter, listing items from top to bottom.

And above all, have fun! When you have fun, it is easy to promote your child's language development. Talk about your Christmas preparations with your child throughout the day.

What will be on your child's toy list?