Happy New Year! (Can you believe it's already here?). I'm excited to kickstart this year by sharing 10 sweet and simple ways to enhance your child's language development at home. I've also included links to other helpful resources, just in case something piques your interest.

Okay! Let's dive into the new year with some exciting ways to support your child's language growth!

Play and language development are closely connected for toddlers. You've probably noticed that as your child's language skills improve, their playtime becomes more imaginative. This happens because both their play and language abilities are growing simultaneously.

One effective way to enhance your child's language skills is through play. Generally, babies and younger children enjoy simpler types of play, like stacking blocks, filling and emptying toys, and pushing things around. The words you use to talk about these activities are more repetitive and straightforward, which matches what they need to learn. You repeat a few important words and play sounds many times.

As their play becomes more advanced, such as when they start pretending or using their imagination, the language you use while playing also becomes more sophisticated. You begin using sentences to discuss and describe what's happening in greater detail. So, when you play together and talk about your activities, you're helping your child improve their language skills.

As the types of play change, you'll have the opportunity to introduce new words to describe the items and actions they use during play. You’re expanding their vocabulary while having fun!

Keep Reading : The Toddler Stages of Play

Describing your daily activities in simple words is a great way to introduce your toddler to a wide range of vocabulary. Since we often do the same things every day, this repetition helps them learn the words for things they come across regularly. Plus, you get to teach your child words that matter to them.

Narrating your day means choosing 1-3 words that you'll repeat and teach during a daily activity. You might try using the focused stimulation technique when you change your 1-year-old's diaper or when your 2 year old is brushing his teeth.

In the beginning, you'll likely focus on teaching nouns (names of people, places, and things). But as your child becomes more talkative, you can also introduce action words (verbs) and words that describe things (adjectives and adverbs). It's like turning your daily routines into fun learning experiences!

Exploring new places or activities, like visiting a different park or discovering a new library book, is an excellent way to introduce your child to new vocabulary and ideas. The world is full of exciting experiences, so why not dive into them together?

Here are 5 more ideas of (possibly) new things you might try with your little one:

Sometimes, being a bit quieter can be a powerful tool. When you give your child room to talk, you might be amazed by them using new words or trying out new ways to show what they want, need, or think. This can come in handy when you know your child is eager to get something and may willing to try a skill that might be hard for them, like saying a new word!

Singing songs is a delightful way to build language skills. You're not limited to nursery rhymes; consider songs with repetitive lyrics. Create a playlist of your favorites and listen for your child to join in. Early on children may “sing” the song and you’ll notice them following the rhythm of the music even though you can’t understand the words they are saying. Later on they may learn the chorus or a catchy part of the song that gets repeated.

Aside from singing along, you might also play fun games with songs. You can play a song and then pause it unexpectedly and look for your child to make a request for the music to keep going!

Spending time with a friend or family member can be a an added bonus for your child's language journey.

Interacting with peers encourages communication and exposes your little one to new words and ideas. Kids tend to use simpler words and sentences compared to adults, and sometimes it's easier for your child to pick up words and phrases from their peers. You could think about arranging a playdate with neighbors, cousins, or friends you meet at the park. It's a fun way for them to learn and have a great time with others.

If you don't have the chance to meet kids your child's age, hanging out with older children and adults can also be quite helpful. When we spend time with different people, they often use words we haven't heard before or engage in activities we're not used to. And when we try new things, we come across new words and phrases related to those experiences. It's a cool way to learn from others and discover new words while having fun.

Parentese, which is also called infant-directed speech, is the special way that parents and caregivers usually talk to babies and toddlers. It includes using a different and exaggerated tone, pitch, and rhythm compared to when we talk to other grown-ups. In parentese, we speak more slowly and use simpler sentences. This slowed-down and exaggerated way of talking can help children learn from us and make it easier for them to mimic words when they hear them. It's can be a helpful language boost!

Keep Learning: The Do’s and Don’ts of Baby Talk

f you're part of a household where people speak more than one language, it's a great idea to keep using all those languages at home. Studies have found that using multiple languages at home doesn't lead to speech or language problems. In fact, exposing your child to multiple languages from a young age can make it easier for them to connect with your family and community. Plus, research has indicated that there are cognitive benefits for kids who learn more than one language from the very beginning!

To get a better grasp of how bilingual language development works and what the research says about it, you can check out our blog post.

Keep Reading: Bilingual Language Development - The Facts

Understanding is the foundation upon which your child's expression (gestures + talking) is built. If you're concerned about your child's language progress, consider focusing on what they can understand. It might provide you with a fresh perspective on their development.

Think about the instructions they can follow or the names of things or people they recognize. They might show their understanding skills by looking at an object or doing something when you ask (like handing you something). As they grow, you'll notice them becoming even better at understanding more complex instructions and answering questions when you ask. It's like watching them unlock new levels of understanding!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun together. Learning thrives in a joyful environment. Activities that you both enjoy are the best way to support your toddler's early language learning. Every child is unique, so as long as it's safe and your child loves it, any activity can be a fantastic learning opportunity.

That’s a wrap on my 10 Toddler Talk Tips for 2024! I hope you found some inspiration and are as excited as I am about the upcoming year with your little one 💛

Written By: Stephanie Hatleli, MS CCC-SLP

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