Talk with them a lot. Repeat what they are saying.

Example : 3 year old says, "I play toys." I say, "You are playing with your toys."

I don't correct kids for pronouncing things wrong. Well, after age 10 I tell them the correct way to pronounce things if they are still saying a word improperly.

Also, I think having a lot of background noise interferes with a preschoolers ability to learn how to speak properly. Like having the TV on while you / they are trying to talk.

Anonymous wrote:It's not really about language skills -- it's all social emotional. A toddler/preschooler nanny should be able to discipline appropriately, work on developing self care like cleaning up and toiletinf, and helping grow in the ability to self regulate. Our toddler/preschooler nanny, for example, understands my kid's somewhat complex social emotional stuff better than I do.

It really shouldn't be either/or. If your nanny is in touch with your kid's social and emotional development but isn't on top of developmental milestones such as language and basic number sense then you don't have a very good nanny.

Anonymous wrote:It's not really about language skills -- it's all social emotional. A toddler/preschooler nanny should be able to discipline appropriately, work on developing self care like cleaning up and toiletinf, and helping grow in the ability to self regulate. Our toddler/preschooler nanny, for example, understands my kid's somewhat complex social emotional stuff better than I do.

This!!!

It's not really about language skills -- it's all social emotional. A toddler/preschooler nanny should be able to discipline appropriately, work on developing self care like cleaning up and toiletinf, and helping grow in the ability to self regulate. Our toddler/preschooler nanny, for example, understands my kid's somewhat complex social emotional stuff better than I do.

Anonymous wrote:My nanny just sits on the couch while the 2 yo and 4 yo run around doing nothing. Sigh.
And if a playdate is arranged then all 3-4 kids run around doing nothing much while the two nannies have tea and chat.

that sounds not too bad!

We read books daily, sing songs and recite poems and nursery rhymes that coincide with different things that come up during the day (e.g., sing itsby bitsy spider when we see a spider web on a walk), play silly rhyming games (e.g., "Do you need some water? How about an otter? How about the otter's daughter?" *giggles ensue*), tell stories verbally in the car, on walks (like the three little pigs, etc.), I speak fluently and don't dumb down my language and I encourage them to ask for clarification. We bring their "journals" along on outings and they draw pictures and write a word or two to describe things that interest them.

For math, we do a lot of counting and measuring and basic math as part of activities. We also talk a lot about comparitive size, weight, etc. We have a few math games but mostly we just use it as needed in normal life.

Anonymous wrote:My nanny just sits on the couch while the 2 yo and 4 yo run around doing nothing. Sigh.
And if a playdate is arranged then all 3-4 kids run around doing nothing much while the two nannies have tea and chat.

Are you paying a fair market rate (for 2 kids ages 2 and 4 in the DC area that's about $18-22/hr with guaranteed hours and some PTO)? If the answer is yes, then fire her and replace her with someone who will do a better job. If the answer is no and you can't afford the type of nanny compensation described above, then you're stuck with a subpar nanny, or consider other options (daycare etc).

I read, talk and sing to my charges all the time. I get down on the floor and play with them when they want me to. I take them to the park, library, music class... I taught my four year old charge to read and he reads to the toddler when I am preparing lunch.

My nanny just sits on the couch while the 2 yo and 4 yo run around doing nothing. Sigh.
And if a playdate is arranged then all 3-4 kids run around doing nothing much while the two nannies have tea and chat.

I usually talk and to my charges.... for english skills.
Play with my charges for small and gross motor development .
Count things as I play.... for math skills.

It's not rocket science!

Any nanny tips for helping develop pre-schoolers? I'm running out of ideas and projects!

What do good nannies do to help 3-4 yos develop their english language skills, motor skills, etc.?
What do good nannies do with those and when there is a 2 yo floating about?

I fear we are at a crux where we need a good toddler nanny, not baby nanny. thanks ahead of time.