how to get your toddler to say words
Here at my Montessori-inspired daycare and preschool, one of the things I focus on is language development so that babies can turn into toddlers who are able to communicate what they want and need, with words.
Once your toddler is sounding out words, it can be a fast progression to chatterbox!
It’s exciting to see and so fun to have conversations!
At What age should Toddlers start saying words?
Typically by 12-18 months toddlers are saying single words. Before then, they most likely babbled and made playful noises like ‘baaah, muh, ahhhh’, as they ate, crawled and cruised around.
Here is a helpful language development chart from childrens.com:
- By 12 to 18 months: Baby says single words.
- By age 2: Child says two-word phrases, such as “Dog sit.” “Mommy go.”
- By age 3: Child has words for almost everything and speaks three-word phrases.
The toddlers here at my playschool typically say 2 word phrases by 1.5 years old and by 2 years olds they are saying 3 word phrases to full sentences, asking questions, stating feelings and needs – all the things!
At 1.5 years old it usually sounds like: “help please.” “Up please.” “Shoes on.” “Daddy help.” “Leave it.”
At 2 years old it usually sounds like: “Mommy help please.” “Have some milk please.” “No want that, no thank you.” “Me do it by myself!” “That’s mine, leave it.” “My want to do it first!”
By 2.5 years old it usually sounds like: “I’m feeling mad, leave me alone.” “My go outside now? Yes or no?” “Where’s my shoe? Can’t find it.” “Mommy are you listening? Can you hear me?” “Sissy that’s mine, I had it first!” “Daddy goes to work in the city, maybe we see him after.” “I’m feeling sad, pick me up please!”
Incredible!
Once the ball gets rolling with single words and you help them expand, soon you have a toddler who just chat chat chatting away, saying all the things and soon, you will find yourself saying, “ok babe, give mommy a break from all the questions and comments for a few minutes.” Lol!
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When Should I worry about my toddler not saying words?
It might be best to get some feedback from a speech therapist or professional if your toddler is not saying 1-2 words by 2 years old.
If your child is over two years old, you should have your pediatrician evaluate them and refer them for speech therapy and a hearing exam if they can only imitate speech or actions but don’t produce words or phrases by themselves, they say only certain words and only those words repeatedly, they cannot follow simple instructions. -healthcare.utah.edu
Depending on the dynamic at home or in their care setting, a child’s vocabulary will naturally be more or less robust.
If ever you have concerns, it is best to get professional advice, so you can look at all angles and support that’s available to you and your child.
10 key tips on how to get your toddler to say words
1. Narrate your day & what They’re Doing
Yes! You’ll actually find that there is nothing fancy that I do! I just focus on talking to them daily, expressively describing things, and playfully expanding when they say words!
This might sound like: “Ok, rise and shine love, let’s go change your diaper.”
Then I sing a silly song about changing their diaper. “This is the way we change our diaper, change our diaper, this is the way we change our diaper, early in the morning!”
Letting your toddler see your mouth as you sing and talk helps them learn how to form words.
When they’re playing can do some commentary, to put words to what they are doing. For example, if they are reaching for a toy that is behind another toy, you might say, “stuck! Oh, that’s stuck! Reach reach reach! Stretch! Can you grab it? Help please and mommy can help you.”
2. Be warm, loving and attentive when speaking and playing
It seems simple and obvious but it is worth noting. If you are always stressed or silent when interacting with your toddler, it is less inviting for them to interact and talk.
Think of settings where you feel comfortable to talk, interact and have conversation. It’s usually in a setting where you feel comfortable and welcome to join in.
When you create this same vibe for your child, they are far more likely to engage in talking more often.
3. Ask less questions/Avoid Interrogating and showing frustration
It seems like common sense to ask your toddler what things are as they grow but, it is not a great way to get your toddler to say words. Especially in the beginning as they are just learning and gaining verbal confidence.
Interrogating sounds like: “what is this? say it. what is this?” “What’s this? How do you say this? Come on, you can do it. What is this?”
This adds pressure and usually makes a toddler clam up.
Getting frustrated with them can also make them clam up. Toddlers are masters at reading body language and sensing tone, because this was truly how they were first able to understand the world around them – by being very attuned to these things. We all were.
Instead of: “They hardly talk yet, I don’t know why.” Say: “We’re practicing lots of words together and they’re learning!”
Keeping things light, fun, inviting and playful is key – for language and toddler cooperation in general.
Avoid pressuring, and aim to model, invite them to mimic and leverage play and songs instead.
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4. Ask a question & Answer it yourself
If you do ask questions, answer them!
This exposes your toddler to more words and gives them the answer for them to mimic. Maybe they don’t know the answer, maybe they can’t think of it in the moment, maybe they don’t feel like talking.
Whatever it might be, if your ask and then answer, they are more likely to parrot back to you what you said versus answer “what is this?” types of questions. Every time!
So, this might sound like: “What’s this called? its a ball! Blue ball! Your turn with the ball!” and toss the ball to them.
It might also sound like: “Who’s this in the picture? It’s daddy! Your daddy! Hi daddy, love you!” Wave to daddy in the picture. Most likely, if your toddler is interested, they waved to the picture, maybe said ‘dad’ and smiled.
Asking and answering yourself, is a powerful way to get your toddler to say words.
5. Exaggerate the Sound of the first letter
New words can be tricky!
Break it down for your toddler!
This might sound like, “Waaaah waaaah waaaah waterrr. Waaaater.” “Nuhhh nuhhhh nooooose.”
Most toddlers will start to say pieces of words, and that counts! They may not be able to fully form the sounds of all the letters, but they are attempting to say the word!
Get excited and celebrate with them, even when they just say a piece of the word! This positive association with speaking will only encourage them to do it more!
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6. Bring attention to & name things around them
Get your toddler aware of things around them and what they are called.
Say you are out shopping, involve them in the process by handing them things and saying, “here you go, put it in the back please. That’s crackers. Cccc Cccc Crackers.” “Ooooh yellow lemon. Yellow lemon. I love lemon! Here, feel. It’s a little bumpy!”
Bringing attention to and naming things around them is a wonderful motivator to get your toddler to say words.
7. Expand when they say a word or a part of a word
8. Encourage them to say words & ask for things
If your toddler gestures for water, tell them to ask. “You want water? Say water please.” Then, hand it to them whether they say it or not. They soon will and they prompt and added exposure to words is helpful!
If your toddler brings their cup to you and set it on the counter and you usually go silently to fill it with milk. Instead, you can say, “you want some milk huh? Say milk please, milk please!” Then, fill and hand it to them.
This is simple yet very effective for shifting your toddler out of their usual silent routine of communicating through actions, and into using words to communicate.
Encouraging them to say words and ask for things can be simple and will help get your toddler to say words sooner, if done daily.
9. Sing With & Read to them often
10. Remove the Paci As often as possible
Conclusion
There are simple things you can do each day as you go about your day, to help get your toddler to say words.
It is truly nothing hard or fancy! It is more about making a conscious effort of it, having a routine around it so skills can compound, exercising patience because their learning can feel slow, and practicing together so they can get better and better!
If you are concerned about your toddler’s speech, be sure to check in with a specialist, otherwise remember that this parenting journey you are on with your child is unique to you and them and there is no guideline you ‘must’ follow to make it great and happy.
Soak in all the love and special moments, decide what is important to you, and don’t stress about it all!
I hope these tips help you get talkin’ with your little one! Oh the conversations you will have haha!
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