3 Tips for Early Language Development

1. Talk Often, Even if They’re Not Talking Yet

It might feel silly at first, but talking to your baby or toddler throughout the day builds a strong foundation for language. Narrate what you're doing: “Now we’re putting on your shoes,” or “Let’s wash your hands with warm water.” Describe what your child sees, hears, or touches. Even if your child isn't using words yet, they are listening, learning, and absorbing the meaning of language.

Research shows that children learn language by hearing it frequently and in meaningful contexts. The more words a child hears, especially in face-to-face conversations, the stronger their vocabulary and communication skills will become.

2. Pause, Wait, and Respond

It’s natural to want to jump in when your child struggles to find the right word or stays quiet, but giving them space is powerful. After asking a question or making a comment, pause and wait, sometimes up to 10 seconds. This gives your child time to process and respond in their own way, whether it's with a gesture, a sound, or a word.

When your child does respond, acknowledge and build on it. If they say, “Dog,” you can say, “Yes, that’s a big brown dog! He’s wagging his tail.” This helps grow their language and keeps the conversation going, even in its earliest form.

3. Play with Purpose

Play is more than just fun, it’s how children learn! Pretend play, simple games, and shared book reading are wonderful opportunities to support language growth. Get down on your child’s level, follow their lead, and name objects, actions, and feelings as you play. For example, if you’re stacking blocks, you might say, “Up, up, up! Uh oh! They fell down!”

Books are especially helpful. Choose books with simple, repetitive language and colorful pictures. Point to pictures as you label them, and don’t worry about reading every word. Make it interactive by asking, “Where’s the duck?” or saying, “I see a blue truck!”

Every child develops at their own pace, but creating a language-rich environment can make a meaningful difference. If you ever have concerns about your child’s speech or language milestones, early support from a speech-language pathologist can be incredibly helpful.

At Turning Tides Speech Therapy in Pensacola, we're here to support you and your child every step of the way. Reach out if you’d like more information to set up an evaluation.