Getting started
Don't just sit your child in front of the TV, there's a world out there to explore.
Whether you visit the shops, go on a bus or to the zoo, make the most of spending time together. All outings can give you and your child lots to talk about. For babies, name all the things you see (bus, bike, policeman, elephant), for older children describe them as well (big grey elephant).
Trips are easy to talk about before they happen and after they have happened (Do you remember when the elephant came very near us?) or (tomorrow we are going to town on a big red bus). More than anything, trips give you special times to share together that are lots and lots of fun.
Here are some tips to get you started
- Talk about where you are going as you get ready
- Name and describe what you see
- Introduce new words
- Give your child time to respond and make their own comments
- Collect packaging, leaflets, tickets and natural objects to talk about and pretend play with them at home
- Use stories and photos to prompt memories
Fun places to visit together in and around Coventry
Places to visit and ideas about having fun when you are out and about together are listed on Visit Coventry [https://www.visitcoventry.co.uk].
Broadgate and the Precinct
Coventry City Centre is full of exciting things, from the Lady Godiva Statue and the Peeping Tom clock in Broadgate [/broadgate], to the fountain in the Precinct and the hustle, bustle, sights and smells of the indoor market. When you tire of all the activity you can call into the Library and enjoy the peace and quiet whilst sharing a book in the children's area.
Local parks
In Coventry we are lucky to have many local parks including the War Memorial Park [/wmp] and Coombe Country Park [/coombe]. View a map of all Coventry's parks with play areas [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/playareas].
Museums
Coventry's Transport Museum [http://www.transport-museum.com] has a wonderful collection of cars, motorcycles, signs, engines, and accessories as well as books, magazines, photographs and films. It often has special activities for children and families at weekends and during the school holidays.
The Herbert Art Gallery [http://www.theherbert.org] also has a wide range of family activities on offer for children of all ages.