ASQ Helpful Learning Activities for Children
36-48 Months Old
Focus on: Language Development
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Fill-in-the-Blanks at Storytime.
When reading or telling a familiar story for bedtime, stop and leave out a word. Wait for your child to "fill in the blank."
Grouping Objects by Their Use.
Put out several objects that are familiar to your child. Ask your child to show you which one you can eat or which one you wear outside. Help your child put the objects in groups that go together, such as "things that we eat" and "things that we wear."
Make an "About Me" Book.
Save family pictures, leaves, magazine pictures of a favorite food, and drawings your child makes. Put them in a photo album, or glue onto sheets of paper and staple together to make a book.
More or Less.
While cooking or eating dinner, play a game with your child. Ask who has more potatoes and who has less. Try this using same-size glasses or cups, filled with juice or milk.
Pointing It Out.
Look at a magazine or children's book together. Ask your child to point to pictures as you name them, such as "Where is the truck?" Be silly and ask him to point with an elbow or foot. Ask him to show you something round or something that goes fast.
Practice Following Directions.
Play a silly game where you ask your child to do two or three fun or unusual things in a row. For example, ask him to "Touch your elbow and then run in a circle" or "Find a book and put it on your head."
Simon Says: Naming Body Parts.
During bath time, play Simon Says to teach your child names of body parts. First, you can be "Simon" and help your child wash the part of his body that "Simon says." Let your child have a turn to be "Simon," too. Be sure to name each body part as it is washed and give your child a chance to wash himself.
Talk About the Number 3.
Read stories with 3 in them (The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears). Encourage your child to count to 3 using similar objects (rocks, cards, blocks). Talk about being 3 years old. After your child gets the idea, move up to the numbers 4, 5, and so forth as long as your child is interested.
Adapted from ASQ-3TM User's Guide by Squires, Twombly, Bricker, & Potter. © 2009 Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
