The impact parents have on their kids’ communication skills is massive.
In turn, these skills are vital to the children’s ability to learn and grow in life.
Your toddler’s speech development will affect her education, social life and how she deals with emotions.
Which brings us to the question that most parents have asked themselves: How to improve your toddler’s speech?
7 Ways to Improve Toddler’s Speech
Affiliate links included. Full disclosure here.
1. More story times throughout the day
As parents, we usually think about story time as a way to put our toddlers to bed. But, reading stories throughout the day can be a highly effective way of improving toddler’s speech.
Reading to your toddler, while showing pictures can help her learn speech patterns and build vocabulary.
When reading, make sure they can see the images properly and that you are interacting with them. Ask them about what they see and keep them engaged.
2. Singing
Children love songs and nursery rhymes. Because it’s fun to sing along, it’s easier to increase their engagement and help them learn the most.
If they see you singing and dancing, they will most likely do the same.
Get ready to listen to the same song many times.
When toddlers enjoy an activity, they will ask for it again and again.
That’s perfect, because repetition is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to improve a toddler’s speech.
3. Talk to your toddler
Improving your toddlers’ speech depends on your interactions with them.
The more you talk, the more accustomed to the language they will be. A great technique is to narrate what you are doing.
Talking through activities helps them associate the words with the actions.
For instance, if you’re changing their clothes, describe the process. You can also describe objects and anything around you.
4. Go with the flow
If your toddler seems interested in planes, talk about airplanes.
When it comes to how to improve toddler’s speech, grabbing their attention is crucial. In other words, if they aren’t interested, you’ve already lost.
When your toddler is saying his made-up words, keep the conversation going and answer them in made-up words of your own.
Go with the flow and talk to him in his “language.” In between the baby talk, sneak in some real words and point to the objects.
5. Play games
Any game that encourages toddlers to talk can help them improve their speech.
Let’s say you create a Scavenger Hunt. It will help them build their vocabulary while they have fun.
You can also play “Simon Says” to help them associate words with actions.
One of the simplest games that can have a massive impact on your toddler’s speech is playing pretend phone calls.
You can be “Grandpa,” “Capitan America” or any other character they know, and the game could go on for days.
It helps them develop communication skills beyond vocabulary and phrases.
6. Encourage & Praise
Every time your toddler talks or attempts to, it’s crucial to look at them and acknowledge the effort. Respond to him and encourage him to keep talking.
It will show your toddler that he’s on the right track and he’ll keep trying to learn.
For speech improvement, it’s essential that toddlers keep trying to get better.
Praising their attempts will help them associate speaking to positive experiences.
7. Less TV & more interaction
Though TV shows can help children learn words and vocabulary, they don’t require any interaction.
If the toddler repeats it back to the TV, there’s no response, and that could be discouraging to her.
Watching TV is just too passive for improving toddler’s speech.
Instead of watching TV, look for interactive activities, like the ones we mentioned above.
Just by telling your toddlers an exciting story, the same one they would watch on TV, and getting them to participate, you will enhance their learning process.
Extra tip for helping toddlers build effective communication skills!
Improving your toddler’s speech is crucial for his development and growth. Essential communication skills will help your toddler succeed when dealing with emotions, social interactions, and education. This handbook: Beyond Baby Talk, written by Kenn Apel Ph.D. and Julie Masterson Ph.D., can be your greatest ally when it comes to helping your child develop language skills.
This book will guide you through the easiest and most efficient ways to help your toddlers strengthen their communication skills while having fun.