Helping Toddlers Learn Language
For parents and caregivers
Helping children ages 0-5 learn language skills is an important stage of their growth and development.
It takes a certain level of attunement — or being aware of your child’s needs and cues — in order to best help your kid start to talk.
When the goal is to encourage toddlers to use language, we want to start by helping them to do more of what they are already doing by reinforcing their attempts to communicate.
This reinforcement ultimately makes toddlers feel proud of their attempts.
As well as the organic reinforcement of the message coming across and them getting what they were asking for, it can be helpful to cheer or smile when your child is trying to talk.
Early language progress is instinctual, and for most kids it begins naturally. However, the way parents respond can be the key in accelerating or plateauing – or even decelerating their language development.
Here are some tips that you can begin to use in the home to encourage your toddler’s language learning experience:
Avoid making kids feel stressed about talking
If they know the word, there is no need to put them on the spot
Do not ask them over and over to make sounds or say words they already know
Move on if they are looking uninterested
If they are taking longer to pick it up and speaking only a word or two, don’t push
Long sentences take time, try to encourage short sentences
Model verbal communication with your partner and other family members
Go up in complexity in small phases (aka, take baby steps!)
Show them that talking is helpful, and can be fun!
Mimic words your child says
Mimicking prompts them to mimic you back
Show them that you are excited about their progress
Make it into a fun game, or even sing!
Describe what they are doing and give them a chance to correct what you are saying
When they communicate, tell them they are doing a great job
Show them that asking for something works best
Speech comes later
Some kids will cry, point, or look at stuff if they want it
Try picking up on the nonverbal contact
This helps teach kids that communicating works
Say the word, repeat the word, but still give them what they want even if they don’t say it
This helps kids learn a new way of communicating about it
Most kids pick it up organically
The way the people in their household react to them trying language can make all the difference
Do not withhold objects until they say the word, or say the word more clearly, as this can make toddlers feel shame
Do not shame them or talk about them being behind in front of them as this can cause stress
Use a lot of words around your house, even if you are used to each other’s communication and know what each other want or are saying, still say the words so your toddler can see that using language is the most efficient
If you feel like your toddler using language is a source of stress within your family and feel like more support could be useful, do not hesitate to reach out! Amel Counseling & Consulting has a team of child therapists who can work with your toddler and family on achieving your goals. Sign up for a free, 15- minute phone consultation today and learn more about what we can do for you!
