Toddler Ear Enhancers: 2-4 Years

Age 2 to 4
Finger Plays
Playing with words and the sounds they make is a sure-fire way to help young kids develop listening and auditory memory skills. Finger plays use a variety of actions and words together; some even involve whole body actions. The younger the child, the shorter and simpler the rhyme and the finger and body action should be. Typically, after listening repeatedly to your lead, toddlers will gradually learn some of the words while others may learn the entire finger play.

"THE CHIMNEY"
Here is the chimney (make hand into a fist with thumb inside)
Here is the top (place other hand on top of fist)
Open the lid (remove top hand)
Out the clown will pop (pop up thumb)

"STAND UP TALL"
Stand up tall
Hands in the air
Now sit down In your chair
Clap your hands
And make a frown
Smile and smile
Hop like a clown

Fill In The Blanks
Let your child complete your sentences. Flash cards, posters, or books are good props for this one; you can also take a nature trip around the neighborhood and use what you see. Point to an object, say its name, and encourage your child to repeat after you. You can also point to an animal and let your child imitate the sound the animal makes. You're not only building your child's vocabulary, but you're also introducing a wide range of different sound qualities.