Raising Toddlers: Help Toddlers Talk

As parents it can be frustrating if our toddler isn’t talking by the time they are supposed to. This typically occurs between the 18-24 month age range but can often occur later. Many parents have enjoyed that newborn baby stage and are ready to hear what their child has to say. Yet, toddlers usually talk when they are ready. While some toddlers talk earlier than others, there are ways you can work to encourage your toddler to talk. Today I will share some activities that help toddlers talk.

While some toddlers talk earlier than others, there are ways you can work to help toddlers talk. Here are some simple activities.

Raising Toddlers: Activities That Help Toddlers Talk

Read Books

There are many board books for toddlers on the market today. Sitting down with your toddler to enjoy a good book can help toddlers talk. Toddlers learn best through example, so sitting down together reading a book with them is an easy way to have some together time while teaching your toddler to talk.

Pretend Play

Have a daily meeting, perhaps a tea party or pretend play session, where you hold a conversation with your toddler. Hosting a little pretend play session with your toddler while speaking to them in an adult type voice helps to set the example. Practicing letting go of the baby talk will guide your toddler to talk easier.

While some toddlers talk earlier than others, there are ways you can work to help toddlers talk. Here are some simple activities.

Colored Blocks

Consider toddler sized blocks as an investment into your parenting ways. Use these blocks as an activity to play with your toddler while you state the colors. As you speak to your toddler, showcasing which block is what color, they will soon learn to speak the colors of the blocks as they pick up each colored block. Here is a guide with toys like this that encourage dramatic play in toddlers.

Yes, No Games

Have fun playing yes, no games. Examples would be asking questions that would require a yes or no answer. Take turns with your toddler to have them ask questions. If your toddler isn’t speaking at all, they can practice using hand signals to ask questions. This back and forth yes, no game type scenario will get help your toddler desire to start talking.

While some toddlers talk earlier than others, there are ways you can work to help toddlers talk. Here are some simple activities.

Discovery Basket of Toys

Have a basket of toys that your toddler can recognize by name. Have your toddler pull out a toy and speak what the toy is and how they use it. Example would be a ball, have your toddler pull the ball out and say, “This is my ball. I bounce my ball.” Simple activities like this will help toddlers talk without using too many words at once.

Summary

Each of these activities are a fun way to bond with your toddler while helping them to talk. Once your toddler starts mastering some age appropriate words, you will soon find their vocabulary flourishes and you have a cool talking toddler!