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Top 5 Activities to Boost Your Toddler’s Speech Development at Home
As a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s speech and language development. While speech therapy can offer invaluable support, there are simple, fun activities you can do at home to encourage your toddler’s communication skills. The best part? These activities fit naturally into your daily routines and require little to no extra preparation. Here are five easy and effective activities you can start today to help your toddler thrive.
SPEECH THERAPYSPEECH THERAPY CHILDRENCCC-SLPSPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGYASHA
Dana Zemke, CCC- Speech-Language Pathologist
12/11/20242 min read
1. Talk About Everything
What to Do: Narrate your day as you interact with your child. Describe what you’re doing, seeing, and thinking.
Example:
While cooking: “I’m cutting an apple. It’s red and juicy. Let’s put it in the bowl!”
During play: “You’re stacking blocks. Look, the blue block is on top of the yellow one!”
Why It Works:
Hearing language in context helps toddlers associate words with objects, actions, and feelings, building their vocabulary naturally.
2. Read Together Every Day
What to Do: Choose age-appropriate books with bright pictures, simple text, and lots of repetition. Read slowly, pause to ask questions, and point out pictures as you go.
Example Questions:
“What color is the cat?”
“Can you find the ball?”
Why It Works:
Books expose toddlers to new words and concepts. Repeating favorite stories strengthens their understanding of language patterns and builds anticipation for familiar phrases.
3. Sing Songs and Nursery Rhymes
What to Do: Sing simple, repetitive songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “The Wheels on the Bus.” Add gestures or clapping to make it interactive.
Example Gesture:
Make twinkling hand motions for stars or move your arms like a bus’s windshield wipers.
Why It Works:
The rhythm and repetition in songs make it easier for toddlers to learn new words. Gestures provide visual cues to reinforce meaning.
4. Play Imitation Games
What to Do: Play games where your toddler imitates your actions, sounds, or words. Start with simple sounds like “ba-ba” or “moo” for animals, and encourage your child to copy you.
Example Game:
Take turns making animal noises: “What does a cow say?”
Mirror silly faces or clap hands together.
Why It Works:
Imitation is a foundational skill for language development, helping toddlers practice articulation and understand turn-taking in conversations.
5. Use Everyday Objects as Toys
What to Do: Turn household items into interactive tools for language practice. For instance, use cups and spoons for pretend play or sort socks by color.
Example Activity:
“Can you give me the blue cup?”
Pretend to feed a stuffed animal: “Teddy is hungry. Let’s give him some soup!”
Why It Works:
Pretend play encourages problem-solving, creativity, and vocabulary building as children learn to describe objects and actions.
When to Seek Additional Support
If your toddler is struggling with certain sounds, words, or phrases, don’t hesitate to reach out to a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can make a lasting impact on their communication and confidence.
Need Help? Contact Us!
At Nova Speech Pathology Restoration, we specialize in early childhood speech therapy. Schedule a free screening today to learn how we can support your child’s growth.
📞 561-983-1230
📧 info@novaspeechpathologyrestoration.com
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