Everyday
12 tips to talking
Below are some ways in which you can help your child learn to talk, but be patient! The process is gradual and may seem slow. Words may be unclear, and your child may stumble or hesitate. This is normal.
- Talk to your child when you are playing together.
- Have fun with nursery rhymes and songs, especially those with actions.
- Encourage your child to listen to different sounds e.g. aeroplanes, animals or the post man delivering his letters.
- Gain your child’s attention when you want to talk together.
- Encourage your child to communicate in any way, not just through words.
- Increase vocabulary by giving choices e.g. “Do you want milk or water?”
- Talk about things as they happen e.g. unpacking the shopping, having a bath.
- Listen carefully and give your child time to finish. Take turns to speak.
- Give your child opportunities to talk.
- Help your child to use more words by adding to what is said e.g. “ball” can be expanded to “throw the ball” or ‘the ball has gone”.
- If your child says something incorrectly, say it back to them the right way. Do not make your child repeat it.
- Try and have a special time with your child each day to play with toys and picture books with no background noise e.g. turn the TV/music off.