The idea of having a conversation with a toddler or preschooler may make some adults laugh. And it’s true that “conversations” with young kids are different, since adults need to do most of the talking (at least at first). But research shows that carrying on a conversation 鈥� even with babies 鈥� is essential for a child’s language development.

So what is meant by conversation? The very things that probably annoy you in adult conversations are exactly what your child needs to hear. Your conversation is going to state the obvious, be repetitive, and ask and answer your own questions. For example, if while walking down the street your child points out a truck, you can create the conversation by saying things like, 鈥淵es, that鈥檚 a truck. It鈥檚 a big truck. It鈥檚 a big red truck.鈥�

This might seem silly, especially if your child doesn鈥檛 respond verbally. But child development experts say it鈥檚 crucial.

Research shows that young children need to hear about 21,000 words per day. The simple act of talking to kids helps them develop not just their vocabulary, but their language skills, including listening, memory, and speaking. And beyond short-term verbal skills, these early interactions increase a child’s chances of completing both high school and college. Researchers from the University of Kansas, Betty Hart and Todd Risley,聽聽that children鈥檚 language skills at age 3 predict their language skills at age 9 or 10. And in turn, strong language and reading skills at age 9 sets your child up to perform better in high school, college, and beyond.

Unfortunately, not all children are hearing the same amount, or same quality, of words. Child psychologists Hart and Risley conducted a two-year study where they examined how parents of different socio-economic backgrounds spoke to their children. They found that by age 3, children in the poorer families heard roughly 30 million fewer words than their wealthier counterparts.

Furthermore, the wealthier parents tended to build on conversations that children started. Thus cultivating a rich variety of nouns, modifiers, and past-tense verbs. While lower-income parents tended to speak in affirmations and imperative statements such as, 鈥淚 love you鈥� or 鈥淪top that.鈥�

How do we bridge the word gap?

Since Hart and Risley鈥檚 study, other researchers have confirmed that the word gap exists. A recent study at Stanford found that by 18 months old, children in different socio-economic groups show .

Local and state governments are attempting bridge the gap with grant-funded programs. The city of Providence, Rhode Island, piloted , a program that records what a child hears for a few hours each week and then gives low-income parents individually tailored coaching based on how they talk to their children. Children whose families participated in the Providence Talks program heard an additional 1,191 words a day, and the program has been lauded as a success. The progress was greater for children who started farther behind.

Similarly, after discovering that 70 percent of Georgia鈥檚 fourth graders were not proficient readers, the state launched the campaign, which includes the Talk With Me Baby initiative 鈥� a campaign that promotes talking to babies as a form of 鈥渓anguage nutrition.鈥� And part of 鈥檚 goal is to boost parents鈥� awareness of the importance of verbal language to a child. Talking, reading, and singing to children starting from birth stimulate a baby鈥檚 brain cells to grow and develop.

Is this insensitive?

Perhaps it鈥檚 ignorant to assume that children from underserved communities will achieve success in school and escape the cycle of poverty if parents simply talk to them more and in a certain way.

Reporter Emily Badger in the Washington Post, 鈥淣one of these programs will change the circumstances low-income parents face that contribute to the word gap. They won’t solve for聽the single mother who doesn’t have time to read at night because she works two jobs, or the father too preoccupied by the heating bill to play a game聽of peek-a-boo.鈥�

She鈥檚 right. However, for some parents, knowing that you can boost your child鈥檚 literacy by engaging them on the walk home or with a song during bath time might be empowering and definitely worth a try.

Can you really say 21,000 words a day?

Curious how you鈥檒l squeeze 21,000 words into a single day 鈥� and do it every day? It鈥檚 easier than you think. Break it down, and you’ll cover about 2,000 words during 15 minutes of so-called 鈥渞ich conversation鈥� during a trip to the park. This basically means asking your child questions that require more than a yes or no answer and discussing what you鈥檙e seeing and doing.

If your little one doesn鈥檛 say much and it feels like you’re just talking to yourself, take heart: your kids are listening. Parents are encouraged to narrate their day, verbalizing things in a way that may get kids talking and definitely keeps them listening. Describe what you do and see. Still sound like a lot? Here are three strategies to get you and your child chatting more.

  1. Ask your child open-ended questions.

    Closed-ended questions can be answered with a simple yes or no, so they fail to promote language development. Instead of asking your child, “Do you want water?” try asking a question that gets your child using more specific words: “What would you like to drink: water, milk, or juice?”

  2. Turn your child’s words into sentences

    If your child points to something, resist the urge to give it to her because you know she wants it. Let her use her words. When your young child says, 鈥淲ah wah鈥� and points, say, 鈥淥h you want some water?鈥� as you hand her the water. Then, intentionally say, 鈥淗ere鈥檚 your water.鈥� By doing so, you’re modeling using sentences for your child.

  3. Include little ones in family discussions.

    Include your little one in dinnertime table conversations, family gatherings, and family talks. Family time is great for rich conversations. Your little one can keep in touch with family members who live far away using video chat or by talking on the phone. It may not be as great as face-to-face conversation, but it鈥檚 conversation.

    Soon you鈥檒l be having conversations with your child that make sense and include more substance than “wah wah” and 鈥渂ig truck.鈥�

Want more? Check out 7 ways to boost literary skills without a book in sight.