How to Get Toddlers to Talk

From 12 to 36 months, toddlers experience a language explosion. They start out knowing five or fewer words and end up versatile talkers, capable of carrying on conversations, tailoring their vocabulary to their audience and being understood by strangers and family members. Not all toddlers pick up verbal skills at the same rate, however. If your toddler doesn't talk very much --- or if you simply want to do whatever you can to encourage his verbal abilities --- a variety of techniques can improve his developing language skills.

Instructions

    • 1

      Spend lots of time talking to your toddler. Narrate what you are doing throughout the day as you get your toddler dressed, fix her a meal or give her a bath. State the names of objects, colors and activities in her environment to teach her new words. Ask her simple questions --- such as, "Do you want some juice?" --- even if she answers you in gestures rather than words. Listen when she attempts to talk to you so she knows you value her attempts to talk. Creating a language-rich environment for your toddler will encourage her developing verbal skills.

    • 2

      Talk to your toddler in a way that he can easily understand and that helps him learn proper sentence structure. Keep your sentences short and simple. Speak slowly and clearly. Turn his attempts at words into correct, complete sentences. If he says "fa-fa," say, "Do you want a french fry?" If he says "up," reply, "You want me to pick you up?"

    • 3

      Play language games with your toddler. Sing songs together. Teach her songs that include hand motions such as "Where is Thumbkin?" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Play "I Spy" when you and your toddler drive or walk somewhere, commenting on interesting things you see such as "I spy a white cat."

    • 4

      Read to your toddler to teach him new words and correct sentence structure. Choose touch-and-feel books, pop-up books and other short books filled with colorful pictures to hold his attention. If he can't sit through reading a whole book, just talk about the pictures rather than reading every word. Remember that the point of reading is to teach toddlers that reading is fun, not to finish the story.

    • 5

      Visit your toddler's pediatrician if you think she has a speech delay. Some signs that indicate she may need professional intervention to improve her speech include knowing no words at 15 months, using only single words rather than combinations at 24 months and an inability to put together two or three word phrases at 36 months.

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