Talk, Read, and Sing - Talking is Teaching
September 2022 - Let's Talk About Laundry!
Created by Great Lakes Bay Parents - Informing parents since 2012!
You are your child's lifelong teacher.

"Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing" is a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions ... "
LET'S TALK ABOUT LAUNDRY
Let’s Talk, Read and Sing about LAUNDRY! Loading the washer, hanging wet clothes to dry, and folding clean clothes are great activities that will help your toddler develop and strengthen their gross motor skills. Make laundry time extra joyful by singing and dancing as you work together to get all the laundry done. Be sure to let your child know how thankful you are for such a great little laundry helper. 


Talking is Teaching has pulled fun tips and resources grounded in the best science, to help you talk, read, and sing with your child every day.
LET'S TALK TOGETHER
Activities For You & Your Little One
Let's Talk About Laundry
Talking is Teaching

Using clothespins is an excellent way for your preschooler to strengthen their fine motor skills! During laundry time, have your little one help by hanging some of the wet clothes out to dry. There are great conversations to be had about this process, like how the clothes go from wet to dry and how using less energy from machines can help our planet. Practicing with clothespins will also help your child develop concentration and coordination. These essential skills lay a strong foundation for them to build upon as they learn and grow.
Let's Turn "Wash Time" into "Talk Time"!
Talking is Teaching
Sorting & Collecting
Michigan Learning Channel
The Michigan Learning Channel makes a simple chore, like laundry, a fun math lesson. Learn how children can sort, collect, and group objects they see in the real-world. 
Inside on a Rainy Day
Sesame Street in Communities
Helping with laundry is a great way to pass the time on a rainy day! Sesame Street characters, Elmo, Abby, and Elmo’s Daddy discover the fun and learning that can happen on a rainy day…even when Daddy’s busy doing housework.

Read Article & Watch Video: INSIDE ON A RAINY DAY
Laundry Time Scavenger Hunt
Talking is Teaching
Together find the items on the Scavenger Hunt sheet below to help pass the time between loads of wash. Together, search for the items below with your little one and use words to describe them. Talking about the things we see builds children's vocabularies and their brains! Laundry time can also be fun-time!  

View & Print: SCAVENGER HUNT
Talking is Teaching Activity Calendar
View & Print: LAUNDRY CALENDAR
LET'S READ TOGETHER
Talking is Teaching READING Book & Video Recommendations
Cuddle up with your little one with a book or a video about LAUNDRY! Books build connections. That’s why it’s important to read with your little one every day!

Below is a listing of recommended books and videos from Talking is Teaching. If these are unavailable, visit your local library and ask the librarian for ideas. 
Visit Your Local Library and Ask a Librarian

Contact your local library to learn about the FREE resources available to you and your child.

Birch Run - Thomas E. Fleschner Memorial Library 989-624-5171

Breckenridge -  Howe Memorial Library 989-842-3202

Bridgeport - Bridgeport Public Library 989-777-6030

Chesaning Township - River Rapids District Library 989-845-3211

Frankenmuth -  Frankenmuth Wickson District Library 989-652-8323

Hemlock -  Rauchholz Memorial Library 989-642-8621

Merrill -  Merrill District Library 989-643-7300

Saginaw - Public Libraries of Saginaw 989-755-0904

  • Butman-Fish Library 989-799-9160
  • Rudolph C. Zauel Memorial Library 989-799-2771
  • Ruth Brady Wickes Library 989-752-3821

Saint Charles -  Saint Charles District Library 989-865-9371
LET'S SING TOGETHER
Sing & Dance with Sesame Street
Sesame Street: (The Name of the Place) is the Laundromat

Make laundry a fun activity by singing while you work. Join along with Sesame Street as they sing about visiting the laundromat. 
THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING TO YOUNG CHILDREN
24–36 Months: Social-Emotional Development
Zero to Three
Zero to Three offers tip on what you can do support your toddlers social-emotional development. Here are some examples:
  • Help your toddler understand their feelings.
  • Encourage early friendships.
  • Let your child take the lead in deciding what to play.
  • Support older toddlers’ developing skills.
PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES
MSU Extension - Parent Workshops
ONLINE EXTENSION EXTRAS PARENTING HOUR
Postive Discipline
September 20 at 8 - 9:30 PM

The Resilience Toolbox
September 27 at 8 - 9:30 PM

Hour Mathematics for Infants and Toddlers
October 4 at 8 - 9:30 PM

Let's Talk: Parent and Provider Communication
October 11 at 8 - 9:30 PM

Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodiversity
October 18 at 8 - 9:30 PM
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
RESOURCES
STEM Passport App
STEM Pipeline
The Great Lakes Bay Region is home to a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) destinations and programs. The Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport is a learning resource for 19 different hands-on, dynamic STEM organizations in the community. Now locating them is easy! 

Learn More: STEM PASSPORT APP
Need Help? Call 2-1-1.
*This newsletter was supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0055-01-0090TP0002, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

**Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.