Ready, Set....Go! Cars and Ramp

What it is: Fisher Price ramp and cars

Where to get it:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Racin-Ramps-Garage-Batteries-Bundle/22001191?tv2=true& (this is the site the picture was used from as well)

Alternatives:  There are many different styles of ramps, and more than just the Fisher Price brand!  This is not the exact ramp that I use, mine is a little smaller (more portable).  I love ramps that include a gas pump and elevator, and mine also has a car wash!  Do a google search or amazon search for toy ramps or Fisher Price ramps and you will get a plethora of options! 

What to do with it:
Action imitation--putting gas in the cars, driving them up and down the ramp, washing the cars, "crashing" the cars. 
 Sound imitation--car noises (vroom), "beep-beep", gas tank noises ("ssss"), car wash noise ("pshhhh"), amubulance/fire truck/police car noise ("oo-ee--oo--ee" or wee-oo-wee-oo", you can get creative), "whee!"
Expressive vocabulary development--car, up, down, go, stop, in, out. 
Phrase development--car go, car up, go down, stop car, gas in, etc...
Receptive language development--following directions--give me the car, put gas in the car, make the cars crash, etc...
Requesting--"more cars" (signing or spoken)
Why? Action imitation preceeds speech sound imitation, and speech sound imitation preceeds word imitation.  Action imitation also improves eye contact and interaction ("Early Language Development"). 

Developmental fact of the week:  By 24 months, speech is 50% intelligible. 

Have a good week!  Keep checking back for some posts on eating/drinking skills coming soon!