As parents, we want to connect with our kids, and language is one of the most powerful ways we do that. If you’ve been wondering how to support your child’s communication at home, you’re already doing something right just by asking. The good news? These 10 early language strategies for toddlers are simple, play-based tools our therapists at Connect the Dots recommend to help your child grow their communication skills, one moment at a time.
10 Early Language Strategies
1. Get down to the child’s level. This will help them attend to your language and connect with you. Let them see your face and see what your mouth is doing!
2. Follow the child’s lead. This gives a strong signal that you are interested in what they are doing. It will help them focus on your language and sustain concentration. Allow the child to choose toys, join in by copying their play, then model by playing alongside the child.
3. WAIT! Don’t anticipate their needs even though they may not be able to say much. Try counting to 10 before modeling a word or phrase (unless you lose their attention 🙂).
4. Give choices. Allow the child to point or use a word. Avoid saying “use your words” — gestures and other forms of communication are valid too!
5. Use the “Rule of 3.” If you know your child wants a cookie, try modeling the request. Avoid asking “do you want a cookie?” or “what do you want?” and instead try:
- “Want cookie!?” …wait time
- “Yeah! Cookie!” …more wait time
- “Cookie!” (give cookie)
6. Avoid asking too many questions. If you know the answer, don’t ask! Kids are smart and can sense when they are being quizzed. Ease the pressure, follow the child’s lead, talk about what they are doing, and keep sentences short and simple.
7. Narrating is important, but so is silence. If your child seems to be attending to your models, try waiting in silence while repeating similar routines to give them an opportunity. Songs are a great way to start… “The wheels on the….” 🎶
8. Make your voice interesting. “Parentese” is different from baby talk. Say real words slowly with rich intonation and gestures to help keep your child’s attention.
9. Repeat new words many times in many different situations. Instead of saying “Airplane! Wow, I see it. It’s big. It’s flying away! Bye!”…try this:
- “Airplane!”
- “Wow! I see the airplane!“
- “Big airplane!“
- “The airplane is flying away!”
- “Bye, airplane!“
10. Above all, focus on connection! Communication, at any stage, is about continued connection back and forth (like a game of catch). Meet your child where they are and build on that!
These early language strategies are ones our speech-language therapists use every day, and they work best when you use them too. Parent involvement is at the heart of everything we do at Connect the Dots. If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, we’re here to help. We serve children from birth to 18 in Eugene and Corvallis, Oregon, with evidence-based, play-based therapy that’s as fun as it is effective. Ready to learn more about Speech Therapy?
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