Pretend Phone Chat

Your toddler holds a toy phone and has a pretend chat while you model hellos, little questions, and taking turns, an early bit of imaginative play that grows their words and conversation.

How to do it

1. Give your toddler a toy phone or a safe phone-shaped object and take one yourself.
2. Hold yours to your ear and say a cheerful hello to start the call.
3. Ask a simple question and then pause, leaving space for your toddler to reply.
4. Respond warmly to whatever sound or word they make, as if it were an answer.
5. Keep the back and forth going for a few turns, then say a friendly goodbye.

What you need

• Toy phone

Make it yours

Younger (12-15mo): Just model hello and goodbye and celebrate any babble back. Older (2-3y): Add pretend callers like grandma and simple questions. Siblings: Let two children call each other with you helping the turns