Encouraging Your Toddler's First Words

We all love hearing our toddler’s first words, but some toddlers can take a little longer than others to start speaking. Is there anything you can do to encourage those first words? Most definitely!

For children to communicate effectively, they need the means, reasons and opportunities to communicate. (D. Money, 1997)

The ‘means’ include pointing, facial expression, signing, pictures and speech. A ‘reason’ may include requesting food or a toy, or protesting about something. The ‘opportunity’ includes having the time and place to try out some lovely new words!

As a mum and a Speech and Language Therapist, I know how easily we learn exactly what our toddlers want, without them having to ask…. and there’s the crux. Too often we anticipate our child’s needs – we know when they’re likely to want a drink or snack and provide it, which is very kind, but in doing so we take away their reasons to communicate!

If toddlers don't need to speak to meet their needs, they may not bother trying to speak!

Create reasons for your child to communicate with you, such as putting their favourite toy just out of reach so they need to ‘ask’ for help. Try putting desired objects in a clear plastic box your child can’t open, so again they need to ask for your help. Offer choices at snack or play time, hold up the items as you offer them, or show pictures – your child can point if they can’t tell you verbally. Model the language as you show the items, for example, 'Banana or bread stick?'

Your child also needs opportunities to speak. Sometimes we get enthusiastic about talking to children when playing – often though, what we’re actually doing is asking questions they may not yet have the words to answer!

Instead of asking, ‘What have you got?’ or, ‘What’s that?’, reduce the pressure and narrate their play: ‘A car, a red car!’, ‘Wow, a scary dinosaur!’, ‘You’re pushing the train’. This provides a good model of language, but remember to pause occasionally so they have a chance to speak!

Pauses are very powerful – play ‘ready, steady…. GO!’ games; pausing after ‘ready, steady…’ gives your child the chance to provide the ‘go!’ themselves.

Finally, don’t deny your child something if they can’t ask with spoken words; communication can be verbal or non-verbal. If they use non-verbal communication, that’s fine – just model the word as you give them what they are requesting.

If you're worried your child's speech may be delayed, contact a Speech and Language Therapist for advice.

Wendy Austin is an independent Speech and Language Therapist based in Capel St Mary, Suffolk, supporting children and adults with speech, language and social communication needs. She provides person-centred, evidence-based therapy to help clients communicate effectively. www.wendyaustinsalt.co.uk