7 Tips for Communicating with Your Child from a Speech Therapist

How can parents help their child communicate?

Parents can make a meaningful difference by creating frequent talking opportunities, narrating daily activities, and reading together often. These strategies support natural language development from the earliest stages. If you have questions about your child’s progress, a Speech-Language Pathologist can help.

As your child grows up, there are many stages of development to look forward to, like walking, talking, and when your child starts playing with other children. These stages come at different times for each child and happen as a natural progression of growth.

As a parent, it can be hard to patiently wait while your child figures out how to communicate through speaking. Sometimes toddlers take more time to understand the ins and outs of language, and how to replicate the speech patterns of their caregivers. Learning a language is a big deal and requires consistency and patience on your part! Here are some tips to consider.

1. Look for Talking Opportunities

There are so many opportunities every day to encourage your child to talk. These opportunities usually present themselves when your child wants something or when your child is experiencing an emotion such as happiness, excitement, or even frustration. When these opportunities arise, show your child what to say by modeling language.

As an example, if your toddler points to a toy they want to play with, say “I want the pink bunny. Can I have the pink bunny?” This gives them a model to replicate and helps them understand that words can be used to ask for things.

2. Use Language as Much as Possible

In the process of language development, it helps to use language in a variety of ways. You can do this by narrating what you are doing or asking your toddler questions and answering them yourself. The more you talk with your child, the easier it will be for them to learn.

Try narrating your day in simple sentences and give your toddler a chance to hear how you express yourself. You can narrate what your child may be thinking, feeling, or doing. “I’m about to eat lunch. I love fish crackers.”

3. Read Together

Reading together gets your child used to hearing words strung into sentences, and it also jumpstarts cognition, the mental process of understanding through thought and experience. Reading is one of the best ways a Speech-Language Pathologist will recommend to encourage language development, as it expands your child’s vocabulary and gives them a chance to hear you say new words.

4. Expand Language Skills Gradually

Your child is not going to understand big phrases and complicated words. While it is important to avoid skipping ahead to more complicated language, it is also important not to go backward. Aim to increase your child’s vocabulary gradually, at a level they seem comfortable with.

A good way to do this is by “expanding” what your child says. If your child says “car,” you say, “Yes, a big, red car.” Take what your toddler is saying and make it a little bigger, so they can imitate it while also understanding the context.

Parent tip: Speech-language pathologists call this technique “expanding.” When your child says one word, you add one or two more. When they use two words, you model three. Meeting them just slightly ahead of where they are supports natural growth without overwhelming them.

5. Name Items Around the House and in Public

It is common for children to point at items they want to play with. When they do, take the opportunity to interpret and narrate for them. That way, they will start to recognize the words and names associated with each item. If your toddler points to a ball, you can say, “Ball. Do you want the ball?” This encourages them to use words the next time they want something.

6. Give Your Child a Chance to Communicate

It can be easy to take over situations when you already know what your child needs. But it is important to give your child the chance to speak and communicate on their own before stepping in. This builds independence and is essential for communication skills later on.

As an example, the next time you give your toddler a juice box, do not open it for them right away. When they look to you for help, say, “Do you need help opening the juice box?” and wait for them to hand it to you. Even if they are not saying anything yet, this is great for developing a strong foundation for communication.

7. Refrain From Baby Talk

As parents, we think it is adorable when our child mispronounces a word or uses it incorrectly in a sentence. But leave the mispronunciation to them. By providing the correct words and pronunciations, you are setting your child up for success later. It can be helpful to gently correct errors by repeating the correct word in a sentence, which encourages your child to keep using language the right way.

Have questions about your child’s speech or language development?

A free phone consultation with Arbutus Speech Therapy is a low-pressure way to get answers, whether you are in Vancouver or anywhere in BC.

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Common Questions from Parents

At what age should my child start saying their first words?

Most children say their first words around 12 months and start putting two words together by 18 to 24 months. Every child develops at their own pace, and these ranges are general guides rather than strict rules. If you are unsure whether your child is on track, speaking with a Speech-Language Pathologist is a low-pressure way to get clarity.

What if my child seems frustrated when trying to communicate?

Frustration is common when a child knows what they want but does not yet have the words to express it. You can help by staying calm, describing what you think they want, and offering a gentle language model. If communication frustration is frequent or intense, an SLP can provide strategies tailored to your child’s needs.

Should I be concerned if my child is not talking as much as other kids their age?

Every child develops on their own timeline, and comparing children can be misleading. That said, if you notice your child is not meeting typical milestones, or if other adults frequently have difficulty understanding them, it is worth a conversation with a Speech-Language Pathologist. Early support, when needed, can make a real difference.

When should I reach out to a speech therapist?

Any time you have a concern is a good time to ask. A Speech-Language Pathologist can assess where your child is and offer practical guidance, whether or not formal therapy is needed. Arbutus Speech Therapy offers a free phone consultation to help you figure out next steps.