When I first started working with toddlers, I set myself (and the toddlers) up for failure every session. I was asking them to do tasks beyond their developmental abilities. I questioned my skills. It was hard not seeing the progress I expected; the toddlers weren’t paying attention to tasks… How could I encourage language development?
It’s been several years since that fateful day when I realized I was asking too much of my toddlers. Over time, continuous research and a lot of trial and error later… I’ve divided the ability to improve toddler language development (which also tends to improve their overall communication skills) into 3 categories. Each category fits into everyday routines and works with any/all speech therapy goals. Most importantly, these are concepts parents/caregivers are already doing! Remember, we also want to encourage parents and caregivers when encouraging toddler language development.
Talk, Read, & Play!
Be animated, exciting, engaging, and fun in your speech therapy sessions! If you or the parent are not accustomed to talking to little ones this way, doing it can feel completely ridiculous. That’s okay. You can also provide meaningful language and communication to the task by using functional vocabulary and providing opportunities for toddlers to respond.
Reading activities are so important because they impact so many different areas of development. It doesn’t always look like sitting quietly together and reading a book. Reading activities are perfect for practicing conversational exchanges, joint attention skills, pointing, vocabulary, and listening.
Playing with toddlers is about following their lead, going where they go, and engaging in their world. Developing and using play as a means of learning is important because it is something that toddlers are supposed to do instinctively. When toddlers play they learn, explore, and develop their skills. More importantly, when you join in a toddler’s play, it puts you and helps you see the world through their eyes.
