How Do I Talk, Read, & Sing To My Keiki?
Talking, reading, and singing to your child are powerful ways to foster communication and strengthen your bond. These activities create opportunities for learning and emotional connection, and can help children develop their vocabulary and language skills. They also provide a safe space for your child to express themselves and start conversations.
Starting Conversations:
- Ask open-ended questions like, “What was your favorite part of the day?” This encourages kids to think and share more than just a “yes” or “no.”
- Follow up with questions that dig deeper into their feelings or experiences, such as, “Why did that make you happy?”
Creating a Comfortable Environment:
- To help children feel safe sharing, actively listen and acknowledge their emotions. For example, if they’re upset, saying, ” I can see you’re feeling frustrated, tell me about it,” shows empathy, kindness and care.
- Make regular conversation a habit—narrate actions (“Let’s put on your shoes!”) or talk about everyday things like meals or weather.
Daily Habits to Encourage Talking:
- Reading together daily creates a routine that encourages discussion. Ask questions about the book, like, “What do you think will happen next?”
- Singing songs and talking about them can help kids understand language patterns and boost their vocabulary.
What is Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, & Sing?
“Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, & Sing” is a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents and caregivers recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and language development through simple, everyday actions – like describing things while walking outside, or singing songs together during bath time.
Talking is Teaching is more than an early learning campaign—it’s also a powerful strategy to strengthen families. By encouraging parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with their keiki every day, the campaign helps to nurture relationships, build resilience, and promote protective factors. Hoʻoikaika Partnership is proud to help lead this effort locally—Maui County is the first and only in the State of Hawaiʻi to adopt this innovative and national campaign created by Too Small to Fail.
Building Strong Foundations for Maui’s Families
- Boost brain and language development
- Support emotional and physical health
- Create strong, loving bonds
Building Trust, Sharing Kuleana – We’re Here to Help
To bring this vision to life in our local community, Kākou for Keiki and Ho’oikaika Partnership joined forces to raise awareness about how small moments can have a big impact. In February 2022, we trained 37 Trusted Messengers to share these important messages with families throughout Maui County.
These messengers include:
- Health care providers
- Home visitors
- Social services agents
- Case managers
- Even the Bookmobile librarian
These individuals are already part of the communities they serve. Because families know and trust them, they are in a unique position to:
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Share simple literacy tips and suggestions
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Help parents see the power of their everyday interactions with keiki
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Support families by listening first and meeting them where they are
When helpful messages come from someone we trust, we’re more likely to listen and act. Ho’oikaika Partnership is proud to support this network of messengers as we work together to build strong, healthy futures for Maui’s keiki and their families.
Connecting ʻOhana from Hāna to Lānaʻi
– One Keiki Kit at a Time
Kākou for Keiki and Ho’oikaika Partnership helped bring the Talking is Teaching campaign to families across Maui County — including rural areas like Hāna, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.
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120+ posters placed in community locations
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Keiki Kits distributed at children’s checkups in local health clinics
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In 2022, over 976 free kits given to families through early childhood programs, Hoʻoikaika Partnership agencies, and other community services
These efforts promote talking, reading, and singing to support the healthy development of Maui’s keiki and families.
Why is “Talking is Teaching” Important?
Talking, reading, and singing with young children every day helps their brains grow, builds strong language skills, and supports both emotional and physical health.
Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers. The more we talk with keiki, the more prepared they are for school and life.
But it’s not just about school readiness—frequent, meaningful conversations also strengthen the bond between parent and child, support brain development, and build emotional security and resilience. Regular communication can even serve as a protective factor against stress and adversity by helping children develop:
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Strong problem-solving skills
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Emotional regulation
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Social connections
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Positive self-esteem
All of these contribute to long-term well-being and success.
One well-known study found that children who heard more words at home used more words themselves and even scored higher on IQ tests later on (Hart & Risley, 1995).
References:
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Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children
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National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2004). Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships. Harvard University
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Shonkoff, J. P., et al. (2012). The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress. Pediatrics, 129(1), e232–e246
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Weisleder, A., & Fernald, A. (2013). Talking to Children Matters: Early Language Experience Strengthens Processing and Builds Vocabulary. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2143–2152
Find Out How Your Organization Can Get Involved with “Talking is Teaching”
Hoʻoikaika Partnership is proud to collaborate with nonprofit organizations, local government agencies, and businesses that are committed to nurturing strong families and promoting early learning in their communities. Talking is Teaching partners help spark early brain and language development—and build protective factors—by encouraging parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with their keiki every day. These simple, loving interactions strengthen bonds, support resilience, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Interested in getting involved in Maui County?
3 Easy Steps to Get Involved
1. Learn About Talking is Teaching
Learn more about becoming a community partner and Talking is Teaching strategies.
2. Join the Campaign
Ready to get involved in Maui County?
Please contact us below.
3. Share the Campaign
& Spread the Word
Hang posters, share messages with ʻohana, and use Talking is Teaching materials in your work.
Help Your Keiki Prepare for Kindergarten
Turn small everyday interactions with your children into big brain and language-building moments to help with healthy brain development.
Talking is Teaching Partners
