5 Tricks to Get Your Toddler Talking

 

These 5 tricks are great to use with toddlers that have some words but are maybe more of a late talker. These would also be good for parents to use at home who have toddlers that are currently receiving speech therapy services.  

1. Stop Short During a Familiar Song or Phrase

Some examples of ways to get your child to finish the phrase include: 

• As you are singing a familiar song such as, Ring Around the Rosie, you can sing the first part of the song and then stop before you say "down" and see if your child will finish the song. 
• When playing with cars or another activity you will want to model the phrase "ready, set, go".  After you have modeled it a couple of times you can say "ready, set, ____" (pause) and see if your child will finish the phrase. 

2. Sabotage

Another way to think about sabotage would be to think about ways that you can set up the environment to give your child opportunities to communicate. Some examples would be: 

• Put a favorite toy out of reach but in sight so that the child will have to communicate that they want the toy.
• Eating a snack in front of your child but not sharing until they communicate that they want some. 

3. Have fun with your child by using silly sounds or words

Sometimes you have to make it fun and be silly with your child. Try making noises or words that are easier for a child to say. Examples of words that can be fun, silly, and easy would be: 

• Animal sounds (moo, baa, oink, nay, woof, hiss)
• Car or truck noises (vroom, beep, crash)
• Food noises (yum, yuk, mmm)

4. Encourage any attempts to communicate or vocalize

As your child is developing the words that they use are not always completely accurate and easy to understand. As they attempt to say words be sure to give them encouragement. Example:

•  If your child leaves out some of the sounds in the word such as saying "uh" for "up", then you say "Yes!", "up, you want up?", "I loved how you told me what you wanted". 

5. Act confused

As parents we are really good at being able to identify and anticipate our child's needs. Think about this though, if we anticipate all of their needs then they have no reason to communicate them to us. Instead of just giving them what they want or need, try acting confused about their expected looks. Example: 

• As they continue to point or take you by the hand to show you say, "oh, you want ___, say ___!"