• 2 toy phones or 2 real phones that are no longer working 
• 2 chairs 
• Variety of hats (cowboy, pirate, construction, etc.) 

Step 1: Place two chairs next to each other near a window so that you can see outside. Sit close enough to hear each other and to see out the window. Gather the two phones and show them to your child. Hand one phone to your child and hold the other up to your ear. Make a ringing sound and initiate the phone call. 

You might say:

“Ring. Ring. Hello, hello. Who’s calling? Hi Gavin, this is Daddy. How are you today? It’s so nice to talk to you!” 

Step 2: Look out the window and bring something to his attention to get a conversation started. You might say:

“Hey, can you see out the window? Do you see that bird? What is the bird doing? Where do you think the bird is going? What else do you see outside?” 

Step 3: Ask open-ended questions to allow him to express his thoughts or feelings. Continue with the discussion observing other things outside or until your child loses interest. 

Be a role model for your child as you model language. Ask him to repeat. Expand upon his language. You might say:

“Look at the pretty bird. Can you say bird? Oh, the bird just flew away. Show me how you would fly if you were a bird.” 

Gather a variety of hats to use as props (cowboy, pirate, construction, etc.). Explain to your child that you are going to pretend to be that person calling him. Put on a hat and start the phone call as the person in character. Encourage your child to talk and ask questions.