Ways to elicit language in toddlers!

Are you hoping to find some strategies to get your little one talking? Take a peek at the tips and tricks we share with our SpeechRise families!

1.     Wait time- Give your child TIME to respond to comments or questions you may ask. Avoid asking them questions and then speaking for them.

2.     Sit face to face- Meet your child where they are. Play on the floor with them, read books facing them, allow them to see your facial expressions, how your mouth moves and where and how sounds are made. Hold toys and book up to your mouth, so your child receives a visual cue of how sounds are made!

3.     Expand their language- We love to use the +1 method. Use language expansion to take your child to that next step in communication.

4.     Give choices- Providing choices allows your child the opportunity to advocate for themselves. It also provides them the opportunity to verbalize what they want. Keep choices slightly out of reach so they have to verbalize a request. Ex: show your child the milk carton and the juice carton while asking “Do you want milk or juice?”.

5.     Read- Read, Read, Read!! Label items and actions you see in books to expose your child to new vocabulary words and their meanings.

6.     Narrate your day- Don’t feel silly, narrate all things you do! This again exposes your child to new vocabulary. Ex: “Mommy is cutting carrots”, “Daddy is putting shoes on”. Describe and label things you see on walks, in the park, around the house.

7.     Parallel talk- As your child is playing, describe what they are doing. Ex: “you put blue block on top”, “boom, you knocked the tower down”, “Wow! You’re building again”.

8.     Verbal Routines- Providing children with verbal routines to match their actions is a great way to expose your child to similar language each time they complete an action. This verbal routine will become familiar, and children will anticipate what comes next!

9.     Communication Temptations- Position motivating items (toys, snacks) out of your child’s reach, providing them an opportunity to verbally requests for these items.           Example: give your child only a few motivating snack pieces, providing them the opportunity to request for more multiple times during mealtime.