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No matter where you head out, at the right time of year, you can listen out for the crunch sounds of leaves with your little one.
When you do, you can help build your child's attention skills and teach them new words for sounds - like in the clip below.
Why talk about sounds with your baby?
- Stopping to explore what you hear when you are out and about helps to develop your child’s focus and attention
- They'll get to hear new words for sounds and connect the sounds they hear with the words for them
- Playing with leaves is an excellent way for your little one to develop their fine motor skills
- By engaging their senses, they are more likely to pay attention to the words you say
How to go on a listening walk with baby
Going to the park is a great way to chat with your baby about what they can see and hear. Your baby will love the sound of crunching leaves!
Why not focus on sounds the next time you head out on a walk together?
Use simple words when you describe what things sound like and what's making them – for example, “Wow, crunchy leaves” and “Look! These leaves are big.”
Let your baby touch the leaves as you're chatting. This will help them connect the objects with sounds and new words.
If you are in a park or in your back garden, pick up some leaves and have a play with them.
Try and pick up some crunchy leaves and as you crunch them, talk about what they sound like. You can use words like 'crunch' and 'crackle' or have a go at mimicking the rustling or crunching sounds.
To ramp up the fun, you and your little one can jump into a heap of crunchy leaves.
Image caption, Take a trip to the park and pick up some crunchy leaves.
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More sensory fun!
It's not just autumn leaves your baby can listen out for on a walk. Try going on a listening walk where you pay special attention to every sound they can hear
Bath time is a perfect opportunity to engage in water play
You could try making your little one a sensory play box
Messy play is great for engage their sense of touch
