Helping young children to use words means providing them with many opportunities to try to use words to get their point across. If the communication has already been accomplished, and the child
knows that you know exactly what he wants, it is not likely that he will try to use spoken words! Or if your child is able to get his needs met independently, without your help, he has no reason to use words.
As I discussed in Part 1, if your child is pointing to the cookie jar and you ask, “What do you want? Tell me what you want,” she is most likely not going to say anything because she knows that you already know exactly what she wants! But, placing items up out of reach (placing a favorite book up high on a shelf) and giving verbal choices (“Do you want a banana or cookie?”) present more of a “communicative” challenge for you child! In addition, holding items up to your face/mouth when naming them can heighten your child’s attention to spoken words. (For more details, please refer to Part 1 of this article from November 2017). Here are a few more ideas to help get your toddler to try to say more words.
1. Use the same words over and over in the same situations so they become predictable to your child. For example, while playing with blocks you could always say “up, up up!” when placing each
block, and always say “Boom!” when they fall. This provides your child with predictable “scripts,” allowing him to anticipate the words and maybe try them himself.
2. Change the pitch and loudness of your voice, and use different facial expressions in order to gain and maintain your child’s interest in what you are saying.
3. Most children love, love, love talking to toys and telling them what to do! (Who knew? Two-year olds like to be in control?) You can tell blocks “Don’t fall!” cars to “go!” or stuffed animals to “sit, “eat” or go “night night.” Such activities seem to “take the pressure off” since the words are directed to a toy and not an adult. This is particularly exciting if toys are told to do silly things, or are told NOT to do naughty things, such as “No jumping!” when toy Mommy jumps on the bed!
4. Take the pressure off of your little one. Most young children don’t like being asked to “say” words for adults, such as “Can you say cookie?” (and some flat out say “No!”) I think you will be surprised at how many more word attempts you hear through indirectly targeting words in daily routines and play!
I hope these ideas are helpful. I am always available, so please don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
Maureen Niklaus, M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
570-360-3413
mniklaus@comcast.net
Maureen Niklaus Pediatrics SLP
