Encouraging Your Toddler to Talk: Helpful Strategies for Daily Routines

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Are you looking for ways to encourage your toddler to say or imitate words? Everyday routines provide excellent opportunities to support your child’s speech and language development. In this blog post, we’ll explore specific strategies to help your toddler use new words in fun and engaging ways.

If you’re looking for general tips on incorporating language strategies into daily routines, be sure to check out our previous blog post here. These tips are a great foundation for fostering communication throughout your child’s day.

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development, remember that these tips are not a substitute for professional guidance. Consulting with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can provide tailored support to meet your child’s needs.

1. Build Language During Playtime

Toddlers are most likely to say words when they’re motivated and engaged in an activity. Playtime is the perfect opportunity to build language! For instance, if your child is playing with a dinosaur, point to it and say, "dinosaur." You can add variety by describing the dinosaur’s actions, such as "jump." To make it even more engaging, model the action (e.g., making the dinosaur jump) and pair it with the word. Repetition is key—say the word several times during play to reinforce it. This approach not only teaches vocabulary but also enhances your child’s play skills and ability to connect actions with words.

2. Use Music to Spark Language

Music is a powerful tool for encouraging language. Creating simple, catchy songs around daily activities can motivate your toddler to join in. For example, while washing hands, you might sing a melody using the phrase "washing hands." Many toddlers love music and are naturally drawn to its rhythm and repetition. Singing can make language learning fun and engaging, while also encouraging your child to vocalize along with you.

3. Try the Expectant Pause Technique

Once you’ve modeled a word multiple times during an activity, introduce the expectant pause to encourage your child to attempt the word. For example, if you’ve been saying "jump" during dinosaur play, pause after a few repetitions. Lean in slightly and wait, showing anticipation. This pause isn’t meant to force your child to say the word but rather to create an opportunity for them to try. It’s about opening up space for inspiration, not pressure. If your child doesn’t respond, simply model the word again and keep the interaction light and encouraging.

4. Be Predictable

Being predictable during activities helps your child know what to expect, increasing their likelihood of participation. For example, if you use the same word or phrase consistently during an activity, your child will begin to anticipate it. Incorporating verbal routines is a fantastic way to create predictability. Verbal routines involve using the same sequence of words during an activity, such as “Ready, set, go!” or “Up, up, down.” These predictable word sequences allow your child to feel confident and engaged because they can anticipate what comes next. You can even create your own verbal routines. For instance, if you’re stacking blocks, you might say “One, two, three!” before knocking them down. By saying the same words in sequence, you create a familiar and enjoyable routine that encourages your child to join in.

Why Isn’t My Toddler Talking?

Every child develops at their own pace, and there can be many reasons why a toddler isn’t imitating or saying words yet. If you’re concerned about your child’s language development, seeking guidance from an SLP can provide the support and strategies you need.

Specialized Early Intervention Services

At Multimodal Communication Speech Clinic P.C., we specialize in early intervention for children ages 0-3. Our team of expert SLPs focuses on parent coaching, play-based learning, and personalized strategies to help your child thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, visit our Getting Started page or contact us at 562-373-8874 or admin@multimodalcommunication.org.