Some things to encourage parents and caregivers to do:

• Talk with their children during daily routines ? preparing and eating meals, bath and bedtime, riding in the car.
• Help children name the things they see or use everyday.
• Read stories.
• Tell about their experiences and ideas.
• Visit libraries and museums.
• Give children opportunities to draw and print with markers, crayons, and pencils.
• Reinforce what you are doing in your program (e.g., learning about animals, practicing the first letter of the child?s name).

From Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers and Child-Care and Family Providers.  Early Childhood-Head Start Task Force.  U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. 2002.