Working towards – the child saying lots of single words and two-word phrases 

Be face to face

Get down to the child’s level. It is easier for children to listen and talk if you get down to their level and face them.

Make your best guess: ”Say what they would if they could”

If your child makes a sound, make your best guess at what they might be saying and say it. If they are silent, say what they would if they could.

E.g. If a child is playing with a horse, the mum might say ‘neigh’ or ‘clip-clop’ if the child is playing with the horse but silent.

Following the child’s lead

When you follow a child’s lead, you allow them to choose the activity. Adults tend to want children to follow their lead. Children are more likely to communicate and interact happily when doing something they are interested in and able to do. Try a little ‘creative stupidity’.

E.g. put toy blocks on your head instead of building a tower.

Commenting instead of questioning

When you comment instead of question in response to a child’s initiation the child knows that you are listening and are interested in what they are saying.

Adults always think that direct questions to children will get a response but commenting is a much more effective way of encouraging children to communicate.

Questions put children under pressure to respond and they are more likely to switch off or not respond.

It can take a little while to change the habit of asking questions. Try, when playing with your child, timing yourself for five minutes and only comment during that time.

Say what things are rather than ask “What’s this”.

Make the important words stand out

Saying less, stressing words, slowing down, showing them and using natural gesture to understand.

Moving on to phrases and sentences

Repeat and add a new word

You can show you have understood your child’s message by saying what you think they are trying to tell you, using simple words. Doing this also shows them how to say it for themselves – eventually, they will try and say it too.

You can help your child learn to communicate even more if you repeat what he has done or said and then add a new word. If you use a simple word he is more likely to copy the word after you.

You can help your child understand the new word by adding noises, gestures or a word he already uses. 

Focus on action words

Often children get stuck learning the names for things and have lots of words. It is really hard to make a sentence with only the names for things. The first two word combinations usually involve an action word. E.g. “…… gone” or “……stop”.

Try, when playing with your child, timing yourself for five minutes and focusing on commenting on what they are doing during that time. i.e. if you are cutting and sticking, you could comment saying “cut, cut”, “big snip, snip, snip” “open the glue” or “spread the glue, go to the edge”.

• Extending vocabulary and sentence length

At the beginning, you worked hard at keeping your language short and simple. Once your child understands and talks more you can help them learn by talking while you are playing or doing everyday things. You can teach them lots of new ideas and words with just one toy.

Name ‘that’s a boat’

Explain ‘Daddy goes fishing in a boat’

Feelings ‘You like going on daddy’s boat’

Imagine ‘You could be a fisherman in a boat when you grow up’

Describe ‘The boat’s going up and down on the waves’

Pretend ‘This big box could be your boat’

Past or future ‘We’ll see daddy’s boat tomorrow’

Adding ideas to the play

Children who are late to talk often need adults to help them extend their play. They need us to help them develop their pretend play.

Start off with tea sets and dolls/soft toys and play at tea parties and re-playing routines such as bedtime and bath time.

With character toys and cars make up little play sequences e.g. the car breaks down and the man comes along in the truck to fix it.

Check the progress of their language development

If you have concerns about your child's communication development, you can contact the children's speech and language therapy department to discuss these.

Children's Speech and Language Therapy Helpline: 01028 834488 (this a call back service. You details will be taken and your call will be returned by a qualified speech and language therapist).