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Of course, bananas are a yummy and nutritious snack for kids, but they can also double up as a fun prop to help with their language learning!
Find out how in the video clip below.
Hello, Dada?
Hello, Daddy?
Who's that?
Hello?
Hello, who's onthe telephone?
Who's on the telephone? Hello.
Is it Daddyon the phone? Y
ou say hello?
Aayan, talk, talk.
Speak on the phone with Mummy.
Is it Daddy?
Ring, ring, ring, ring,ring.
Are you talking to Daddy?
Hello?
Ring ring.
Oh you just want to eat it?
Put it in your mouth or not?
The benefits of playing pretend phone calls with baby
- Bananas make a great prop for your child to act out a situation they've seen in everyday life
- By passing the banana back and forth, you're teaching them about turn-taking
- Bananas are great for sensory play as they see, feel and taste, after the role play game
How to play banana phones with your toddler
If you've got a banana, you've got a fun phone for you and your baby to play with.
Demonstrate how you can hold the banana to your ear like a phone and act out a phone call. Try to make conversation as though you really were on the phone, for example, “Hello, is that daddy? Hello daddy…” or “Granny is calling, hello granny!
Once you see their interest in the banana – pass it to them. Can they hold it in the same way? You can help them if they struggle - say 'hello' and 'how are you?' as they hold it to their ear.
Bananas are also great to help your child learn about textures and taste - when you're done playing, peel the banana and enjoy a healthy snack.
As they try the banana, talk about the texture and taste. For example, you could describe the banana skin as 'smooth' or the flesh as 'soft' and 'sweet'. This helps to make connections between words and what they see, taste and feel.
