Quick Tips: Language Expansion

Have a young child at home who is starting to talk? Looking for quick tips on how to encourage and expand on that language development at home? Check out the list below! 

• TALK: children learn from modeling! While playing, cooking, driving, bathing, eating, etc., talk about what you are doing and seeing. Remember to try to use words or phrases that are accessible to your child. For example, if your child is saying, “cookie” you can model by saying things like “Yummy cookie. Big cookie. Eat the cookie.” While expanding on your child’s words, use action words and descriptive language. Think about color, size, shape, location, and other attributes.

• TEMPT: place favorite or preferred items in a location that your child can see but can’t reach. Put them in a clear container they can’t open. These will encourage your child to seek out an adult for help, giving your child the opportunity to use communication to request. Along with this, as parents or familiar adults, you often intuitively know what your child wants before the child asks. Instead of immediately meeting your child’s needs, wait and give your child the opportunity to ask. Play in silly ways! Put toys on your head or play with things in the wrong way. This gives your child the opportunity to tell you you are wrong. How fun is that?! Keep in mind that for a child to notice the routine is broken, the routine first has to be set. Make sure to take the time to set up familiar play routines with your child before changing them.

• REPEAT: repetition is a key component to how children learn! Read the same books, sing the same songs, use the same words in play routines. While playing, repeat the same words or phrases 2-3 times each. This gives your child several models to learn from and eventually imitate.

• SING: singing together is a great way to encourage vocalization and use of words. After your child is familiar with a song, pause at places during the song to have your child fill in the word or. Intentionally sing the wrong word in the song and wait for your child to correct you. After you’re done singing, wait for your child to request the song again or a new song.

• READ: reading is a wonderful activity for you and your child to do together! Give your child a chance to explore the book independently first. While reading, don’t be afraid to change the words on the page. While using books as a language building tool, it is important to use words and phrases your child can access. If your child is using single words, model 2-3 word phrases while reading. For example, if your child points to the picture and says kitty, you can expand with “kitty is eating.” Point to different aspects of the book while reading. If you are reading about a character in the story, point to a picture of that character while you are reading. Use explanations, remarks, and observations that are intended to draw your child’s attention to story elements. Supply names and labels for new vocabulary. Point out specific pictures that represent new vocabulary.