A Simple Strategy For Encouraging Speech Development In Toddlers
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Ask An SLP: What are the best strategies a mom can use for encouraging speech development in a toddler?
This question came from our Facebook group, and it’s a great one!
There are lots of strategies you can use to encourage your child's speech development.
And ultimately, the best strategy will be the one that makes it easy for you to support your child's speech goal every single day.
But there's one that I recommend all the time for parents working on early language skills with their toddlers.
It's called “simplifying”.
And it’s so very… simple.
Think about how many words your kiddo normally uses when they talk on their own (not when they’re repeating you).
Maybe it's no words, maybe it's 2 or 3...
Pick whatever they use most often.
If they've used 2 words a few times before, but usually only use 1 word at a time, stick with 1 for your starting number.
Then simplify the things you say so that you’re only using 1-2 words more than they do.
That means that if your child typically uses 2 word phrases, simplify your speech so you’re using 3-4 word phrases.
That means that “Can I get you some juice? Do you want apple juice or orange juice?”
Becomes... “Do you want juice? Apple or orange?”
If your child isn’t saying any words, that’s okay too, you’ll just simplify even further so you’re using 1-2 word phrases.
This is a great way to let them hear lots of language that’s near their current level, while still modeling phrases that encourage them to expand on what they currently do.
One of the things I love most about this strategy is that you can use it during any of your daily routines.
So go ahead and try it out.
Pick one of your normal activities (getting dressed in the morning, brushing teeth, eating lunch, playing outside)… and simplify.
When that activity's over, go back to talking normally throughout your day (it's important for your child to hear regular adult language with full sentences too).
And if you want more strategies that make it easy to work on early language skills throughout your day, check out our Everyday Activities mini-course.
Hi, I'm Emily
Founder of Moms Teach Speech
Emily helps parents who have kids with speech delays support their children's development with a holistic, functional, family-centered approach. She shares the strategies & activities she would use as a professional SLP so you can use them at home to become your child's best therapist.
Did you know..?
The easiest way to make speech practice feel so effortless and natural for your child that they don't even know they're "practicing"...
Is to use simple speech strategies during their daily routines.
Ready to learn how?
Our the Everyday Activities Mini-Course will walk you step-by-step through our favorite strategies to make speech practice easier than ever!
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