Promote Speech and Language Development: Tools to Help Your Toddler Talk

April is Autism Awareness Month. Speech Delay can coincide with Autism. Communication is always a goal for toddlers, whether communication delay is present or not. 

You can benefit from tools to promote speech and language development whether your little one is meeting communication milestones or not. 

Let's look at tools to help YOU help your toddler talk.

Start with Sign Language

Starting with or relying on sign language is not a hindrance to speech development - quite the opposite! Children mimic motor movements or move their bodies sooner than they say words. 

Using signs to communicate can help your child get their needs met and reduce frustration while facilitating the use of spoken words.

Use Mirrors Liberally

What little one doesn't like to look at themselves? They may like to communicate with their reflection. Full length mirrors are great to show body movements that are an important pre-speech indicator. 

Manipulation to Promote Communication

You might be guilty of anticipating what your child needs before they have the opportunity to make a request. Similarly, montessori methods promote making items easily accessible to little ones. 

While neither are wrong, they're not the best for promoting speech and language development. Instead, create a manipulation to encourage communication. 

Some examples include placing desired items out of reach, or providing small amounts of foods at a time to encourage requesting more.

These techniques give opportunities to communicate. Remember that not all communication is verbal. Your child may use a gesture such as pointing. 

Do not withhold the desired item to avoid frustration. Instead, provide the item and model the desired sign and/or word while doing so.

Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker

This book provides a basic introduction to an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. Lucas the lion models using the AAC device in the story. And the AAC device is removable! 

Incorporate Special Interests

People are more likely to talk about things that interest them. Don't try to redirect your child from special interests. If they love cars or certain characters, they are more likely to talk about those things. 

Take your child's lead by doing what they're doing and modeling words and phrases as you're playing along. You might say "go" or "ready, set, go" while playing with cars. 

Try to focus on functional words like "help" or "more" rather than concepts such as colors or animal sounds to help your child meet their needs without getting frustrated. 

Ramps and slides are fun. You can make characters "climb up" and "slide down." And talk about directions such as being "at the top" or "at the bottom." The possibilities are endless. 

Consider Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)

You might think of a Gestalt Language Processor as acquiring language in the opposite manner than language is most commonly acquired (Analytic Language Processing). GLP vs. ALP. 

Individuals most commonly acquire language by learning one word at a time, then combining two words, then three and so on.

A GLP would acquire language by learning a phrase, then figuring out how to break down that phrase into individual words to be used in different circumstances. 

Think of learning a foreign language. You likely learned the phrase "what is your name" in Spanish before learning the individual parts of that question. 

GLP is considered a normal variant in learning speech and language, yet it isn't part of general curriculum even for speech therapists; it's very much a niche. 

With increased awareness, speech therapists and parents are taking initiative to recognize and support GLPs. 

If your child does not seem to be responding to labeling items with single words, for example, try modeling phrases of two or three words instead. 

Expose them to songs and videos that model speech and language in different formats to offer a variety of opportunities to communicate for children who may learn differently than what is most typical. 

Don't Just Ask Questions

A constant onslaught of questions can be frustrating for your little language learner. They may not have the motivation or the vocabulary to reply. 

Instead, model language during your daily routine and while playing. Repeat the same words and phrases. Narrate your actions and identify objects. 

Checkout Speech Sisters for more techniques and courses to promote speech and language development. 

Do Ask for Support

Talk to other parents, your pediatrician, and daycare or preschool teachers if applicable. You may find resources at your local library or school district. See if your county or state provides early intervention services. 

Children with communication delays often qualify for services to connect with resources such as speech therapy. There are often local organizations that provide AAC devices to children who qualify based on need and income. 

There are apps and social media accounts that offer support and provide services. Build yourself a network of support through local means and remote offerings.

As evaluations and setting up services can take time, it's never too early to seek support if you're concerned about communication delay. By the time you get connected, your child may no longer need support and can graduate from services at any time. 

Conclusion

Acquiring language secure's one's place in society. Being unable to communicate can lead to frustration and isolation. 

Promote speech and language to help your toddler talk by incorporating gestures such as sign language and other body movements. Use mirrors and books as learning tools.

Lean into special interest topics and preferred ways to play, as your little one is more likely to talk about things that they like. 

Offer a variety of ways to learn language as your child may be a GLP: use phrases, songs and videos to promote speech and language development. 

Finally, seek out support for you and your toddler.

What is your experience with speech and language development, personally or as a parent?