Babies whose parents frequently talk to them know 300 more words by age 2 than babies whose parents rarely speak to them. The more words your child hears the more words they will use. Here are some ways to get your toddler talking:
1. Narrate
Talk about what you are doing and what your baby is doing in real-time to help them make the connection words with actions and objects.
2. Reinforce
Reward all attempts at vocalizations to keep them encouraged about using sounds and words to communicate with you.
3. Stage the environment
Put your child’s favorite toys/objects out of reach but in plain sight to give them opportunities to make requests *remember to reinforce all vocal attempts.
4. Ditch the screen
Limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of a television or tablet increases the amount of time they spend in social interactions playing with peers and adults. This provides endless opportunities to hear and use words.
5. Read
Research shows that kids who are read to daily have a larger vocabulary than those who are not read to. Reading also helps kids learn the order and context in which words are to be used.
Tried these tips and your little is still is not using words…
Consult your Pediatrician, local Speech-Language Pathologist, or visit the Department of Health & Hospitals’ website to get information on your county’s Early Intervention Program. Louisiana Residents click here
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