Parents, you can accelerate and enhance your child’s verbal development by the way you interact with them. Studies show that talking and reading with your children extensively from an early age helps them increase their vocabulary which is a key component in reading.

Here are six tips for talking with your child:

Sing and dance. Children enjoy sounds and movement. Music also makes lessons more memorable and demonstrates the rhythm of language. Focus on repetitive lyrics and funny tunes.

Share stories. Make up stories for your children and invite them to create their own tales. Personalize your works by using the names of family members and other familiar information.

Ask questions. Children learn by asking questions, and answering them can help too. Use open-ended inquiries that will stimulate conversation.

Play word games. Make learning fun with puzzles, puns, and riddles. Show how words that sound the same can have different meanings. Laugh about silly noises like ducks quacking and balloons popping.

Discuss routine activities. Turn household chores and errands into teachable moments. Describe what you’re doing as you bake a cake or go shopping for school supplies.

Follow their lead. Give your child your full attention when they’re talking to you. Build on what they’re saying. Ask them how they feel about various situations.