Developing and Modeling Language for Your Toddler 11 Feb 2025, 10:15 pm

Developing and Modeling Language for Your Toddler: A Parent’s Guide

As parents, we are our children’s first teachers, and one of the most important lessons we teach them is how to communicate. Language development in toddlers is a dynamic and exciting journey, but it’s also one that requires patience, intention, and consistency. By actively modeling language and reinforcing your child’s communication attempts, you can create a rich environment that encourages speech and language growth.

Here are some practical tips to help you develop and model language for your toddler:

Narrate Your Actions

One of the simplest and most effective ways to help your child develop language is to narrate your actions. This technique involves describing what you’re doing as you go about your day. For example, as you prepare a meal, you might say, “I’m cutting the apple. Look, a red apple. Now I’m putting it on the plate.” Narrating provides your child with a steady stream of vocabulary and helps them make connections between words and actions.

Why it works:

• It immerses your toddler in language, helping them learn words in context.
• It models how to describe everyday activities, which they’ll eventually mimic.
• It reinforces the idea that language is meaningful and useful.

Reflect and Reinforce Communication Attempts

Toddlers are constantly trying to communicate, even if they’re not using full words yet. They might point, babble, or use a gesture to express themselves. Take these moments as opportunities to validate and build on their communication attempts. For example, if your child points to a cup and says “ba,” you can respond with, “Oh, you want the cup? Here’s your cup!” This practice, known as reflective speech, shows your child that their efforts are understood and encourages them to keep trying.

How to reinforce communication attempts:

• Repeat what you think they’re trying to say.
• Add a gesture or sign to clarify meaning.
• Expand on their words to model more complex language. For example, if they say “car,” you can say, “Yes, a big car! The car is blue.”

Pair Signs with Words

Using simple signs alongside spoken words can help your toddler grasp the meaning of new vocabulary. Signs give children an additional visual cue, making it easier for them to understand and communicate. For instance, you might say “Milk” while mimicking the sign for it. Over time, your child may start using the sign themselves, which can reduce frustration while they’re learning to speak.

Key tips for pairing signs with words:

• Always say the word clearly while doing the sign.
• Focus on common words like “more,” “drink,” or “eat.”
• Celebrate any attempt they make to use the sign, even if it’s not perfect.

Keep It Simple

When talking to your toddler, start with short, simple phrases. Gradually build on these phrases as your child’s language skills grow. For example, if your child is just starting to learn words, you can say “Ball!” As they get more comfortable, you can expand to “Red ball!” and then to “Big red ball!” This progression helps your child learn vocabulary incrementally without feeling overwhelmed.

How to keep language simple and effective:

• Use short sentences and emphasize key words.
• Repeat new words multiple times in different contexts.
• Avoid asking too many questions; instead, focus on modeling statements. For example, instead of saying “What is this?” you can say, “This is a ball!”

Emphasize Repetition

Repetition is crucial for language learning. Toddlers need to hear words multiple times and in various contexts before they can understand and use them. For example, if you’re teaching the word “banana,” you might say, “Here’s a banana. The banana is yellow. Let’s peel the banana. Do you want a bite of banana?” This repeated exposure helps solidify the word in their vocabulary.

Ways to incorporate repetition:

• Read the same books multiple times.
• Sing songs with repetitive lyrics.
• Use familiar phrases during routine activities, like “Time to brush your teeth” or “Let’s put on your shoes.”

Create Opportunities for Interaction

Language development thrives in interactive environments. Encourage your child to participate in conversations and activities that require them to use their words or gestures. For example, during snack time, you can offer two options and ask, “Do you want an apple or a banana?” Even if they don’t say the full word, any attempt to communicate their choice is progress.

Ideas for interactive activities:

• Play pretend games like cooking in a toy kitchen or caring for a stuffed animal.
• Engage in turn-taking games, such as rolling a ball back and forth.
• Use songs with actions, like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” to combine movement and language.

Use Descriptive Language

As your toddler’s vocabulary grows, start using more descriptive language to expand their understanding of words. For instance, instead of just saying, “Dog,” you might say, “A big, fluffy dog is running!” Descriptive language helps your child learn about attributes, actions, and relationships between objects.

How to incorporate descriptive language:

• Describe the size, color, shape, and texture of objects.
• Talk about what things do or how they work (e.g., “The car goes vroom!”).
• Relate new words to familiar concepts (“The apple is round, just like the ball”).

Be Patient and Encouraging

Learning to talk is a gradual process, and every child develops at their own pace. Celebrate your toddler’s successes, no matter how small, and remain patient during their struggles. Your enthusiasm and encouragement will motivate them to keep learning and exploring language.

Encouragement tips:

• Praise their efforts with phrases like “Good job!” or “You said ‘car!’ That’s great!”
• Focus on progress rather than perfection.
• Avoid correcting mistakes harshly; instead, model the correct word or phrase. For example, if they say “wawa” for water, respond with, “Yes, water! Here’s your water.”

Conclusion

Developing and modeling language for your toddler doesn’t require fancy tools or elaborate plans. By narrating your actions, reinforcing communication attempts, and using simple, repetitive language, you can create a nurturing environment where your child’s language skills can flourish. Remember, every interaction is an opportunity to teach and connect. With patience, consistency, and love, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your toddler’s vocabulary and communication abilities grow. And, if you notice your child falling behind in their language development, don’t hesitate to contact me at Small Talk, LLC for an evaluation. I use play-based therapy to make each session enjoyable and effective, and I am committed to helping your child reach their individual oral-motor, feeding, speech, and language needs.

About Marci Britt

Snowday? Snowhat! Winter Speech and Language Activities 11 Jan 2025, 4:04 pm

Tips for Beating Cabin Fever with Fun Speech and Language Activities for Kids

Winter weather often means spending more time indoors, which can be challenging for both kids and parents. As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, I understand the importance of keeping children engaged and learning, even when they’re stuck indoors. Here are some creative and educational activities you can do with your child to promote speech and language development:

Create Your Own Indoor Scavenger Hunt

One of the best ways to turn a snowy day indoors into a fun learning experience is through an indoor scavenger hunt. This activity not only keeps children active but also encourages them to use and develop their speech and language skills.

Speech Sounds Practice: Choose a target sound (e.g., /p/ sound) and challenge your child to find objects around the house that start with that sound. For example, “Can you find something that starts with the /p/ sound? Like pickles, pillow, purse, piggy…” This activity helps reinforce sound production and discrimination.

Language Concepts Exploration: Explore different language concepts such as attributes (soft, small, cold, blue), functions (something you wear, something you read, something you play with), and categories (things found in the kitchen, bedroom, etc.). For instance, “Find something that is soft. Where did you find it? Can you think of other soft things?”

Narrative Building: Encourage storytelling by discussing objects found during the scavenger hunt. For example, “You found your stuffed bunny! Where did you find it? What are other toys you have in your room? If bunny were to go outside in the snow today, what do you think he would do? Let’s make up a story about bunny’s snow day!” This helps in developing narrative skills, creative thinking, inferencing and perspective taking.

Uno Reverse!

Turn the tables and have your child create a scavenger hunt for you! This not only lets them practice their creativity but also challenges them to think critically about categorization, sequencing, and descriptive language. You can take turns being the seeker and the guide, making the activity interactive and enjoyable for both of you.

Benefits of Indoor Activities

Engaging in indoor activities like scavenger hunts not only helps in speech and language development but also fosters cognitive skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and vocabulary expansion. These activities provide a structured way to spend quality time together while promoting learning in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Conclusion

Next time you find yourselves cooped up indoors due to bad weather, embrace it as an opportunity for fun and learning. Engage your child in interactive activities like indoor scavenger hunts to boost their speech and language skills while making lasting memories together. And, if you notice your child falling behind in their language development, don’t hesitate to contact me at Small Talk, LLC for an evaluation. I use play-based therapy to make each session enjoyable and effective, and I am committed to helping your child reach their individual oral-motor, feeding, speech, and language needs.

About Marci Britt

How Reading with Your Little Ones Helps with Language Development and Enriches Vocabulary 14 Aug 2024, 8:09 pm

By: Marci Nace-Britt M.S., CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist at Small Talk, LLC

Babies begin to absorb the sounds, rhythms, and words they hear in the earliest days of infancy and reading to them can play a crucial role in this process. Reading with your little ones is more than just a bedtime ritual; it’s a powerful tool that fosters language development and enriches vocabulary. There is a lot of science to back this up – babies who are read to and talked to score higher in language skills and cognitive development, including problem-solving. And this advantage stays with them into at least early adulthood.

The Building Blocks of Language Development

Language development begins at birth when babies start to recognize voices, sounds, and eventually words. Reading aloud to your child from an early age accelerates this development by exposing them to a wide variety of words and sentence structures. Unlike spoken conversation, which often relies on familiar and repetitive vocabulary, books introduce children to new words, concepts, and ideas in a structured context.

Through reading, children learn about the basic elements of language, such as phonics (the sounds of words), syntax (the arrangement of words in sentences), and semantics (the meaning of words and sentences). For instance, when you read a book that rhymes or has repetitive phrases, children begin to recognize sound patterns and word usage, which is essential for developing phonemic awareness—a critical precursor to reading and writing.

Enhancing Vocabulary and Comprehension

One of the most significant benefits of reading with your child is the expansion of their vocabulary. Books often use more sophisticated language than everyday conversations, exposing children to words they might not encounter otherwise. This exposure promotes vocabulary development, which is strongly linked to reading comprehension and overall academic success.

When children hear new words in the context of a story, they learn not only the word itself but also how it fits into a sentence and its meaning in different contexts. For example, a story about animals might introduce words like “habitat,” “nocturnal,” or “camouflage.” These words become part of the child’s vocabulary through repetition and discussion, enhancing their ability to understand and communicate complex ideas.

Moreover, books often introduce children to different cultures, emotions, and experiences, broadening their understanding of the world. This expanded knowledge base supports cognitive development and empathy as children learn to see things from perspectives other than their own.

The Role of Interaction and Engagement

The benefits of reading are maximized when it’s an interactive experience. Rather than simply reading the words on the page, engage your child by asking questions, pointing out pictures, and encouraging them to predict what will happen next. This type of interaction makes reading more enjoyable and deepens comprehension and retention.

For instance, if you’re reading a story about a rainy day, you might ask your child, “What do you think will happen when the character goes outside?” or “What do you think they should take with them if they go outside?” These questions encourage critical thinking and help your child connect the story to their own experiences, reinforcing language skills and vocabulary in a meaningful way.

Interactive reading also supports the development of narrative skills, which are important for both oral and written communication. By discussing the plot, characters, and sequence of events, children learn how to organize and express their thoughts clearly, laying the groundwork for effective storytelling and writing.

Creating a Lifelong Love of Reading

In addition to the cognitive and language benefits, reading with your little ones fosters a love of books and learning. When reading is associated with positive experiences, such as cuddling on the couch or exploring a new book together, children develop a strong emotional connection to reading. This positive association increases the likelihood that they will become avid readers as they grow older, which in turn supports continuous language development and academic achievement.

To cultivate a love of reading, it’s important to make reading a regular part of your child’s routine. Create a cozy reading nook, visit the library together, and let your child choose books that interest them. Whether it’s a story about dinosaurs, princesses, or outer space, the key is to make reading a fun and engaging activity that your child looks forward to. So grab a book, snuggle up, and start reading!

If you notice your child falling behind in their language development, don’t hesitate to contact me at Small Talk, LLC for an evaluation. I use play-based therapy to make each session enjoyable and effective, and I am committed to helping your child reach their individual oral-motor, feeding, speech, and language needs.  

Contact Marci at Small Talk >

About Marci Britt

Understanding Articulation Therapy: A Guide for Parents of Young Children 21 May 2024, 1:54 am

By: Marci Britt, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist at Small Talk, LLC

Your child’s ability to communicate effectively is paramount to their growth and future success. As a parent, you may have heard about “articulation therapy” but are not quite sure what it entails. In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of articulation therapy to help you understand what it is and how it can benefit your child.

What is Articulation?

Articulation refers to the way speech sounds are produced when we talk. It involves the movement of the tongue, lips, teeth, palate, and vocal cords to create clear and intelligible speech. Sometimes, young children may struggle with articulation, leading to difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds or words correctly.

Understanding Articulation Therapy

Articulation therapy is a specialized form of speech therapy designed to help children improve their pronunciation of speech sounds. It is essential to remember that it’s normal for children to make some speech errors as they develop their language skills. However, when these errors persist beyond a certain age or become more severe, it may be time to consider articulation therapy.

Who Benefits from Articulation Therapy?

Articulation therapy is typically recommended for children who exhibit speech sound errors that are not age-appropriate. Some common signs that your child may benefit from articulation therapy include:

• Difficulty pronouncing specific sounds or consonant sound blends, such as “r,” “s,” “l,” or “bl
• Frequent substitution of one sound for another (e.g., saying “tar” for “car”).
• Omission of sounds in words (e.g., saying “ho” instead of “hot”).
• Difficulty being understood by family members or peers.
• Frustration or anxiety related to communication difficulties.

The Goals of Articulation Therapy

The primary goal of articulation therapy is to help your child develop clear and accurate speech. Here are some key objectives that a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist will work towards:

• Sound Discrimination: Your child will learn to distinguish between different speech sounds and understand the correct placement of their articulators (tongue, lips, etc.) to produce these sounds accurately.

• Sound Production: Through various exercises and activities, your child will practice producing the targeted speech sounds correctly in words, phrases, sentences, and in conversation.
• Generalization: The therapist will help your child generalize their improved articulation skills to a variety of real-life situations, ensuring that the progress made in therapy carries over into daily communication.

What to Expect During Articulation Therapy

Articulation therapy sessions are tailored to your child’s specific needs and abilities. Typically, sessions involve a combination of the following:

• Games, Activities & Play: Therapists often use games, toys, and interactive activities to make therapy engaging and fun for children.
• Repetition and Practice: Your child will practice the target sounds repeatedly to reinforce correct articulation patterns.
• Homework: Your child may be assigned homework exercises to practice between sessions, helping to reinforce what they’ve learned in therapy.
• Progress Monitoring: Your speech pathologist will regularly assess your child’s progress and make adjustments to the therapy plan as needed.

Articulation therapy can be an invaluable resource for children who struggle with speech sound errors. As parents, your support and involvement in the therapy process are crucial. Be patient and understanding as your child works to improve their articulation skills, and remember that progress takes time. With the guidance of a skilled pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, your child can develop clear and confident communication skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Navigating Early Communication: Understanding the Difference Between Speech and Language 13 Nov 2023, 10:38 pm

By: Marci Britt, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist at Small Talk, LLC

As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and a mom, I understand that raising a young child comes with a multitude of joys and challenges. One aspect of your child’s development that may be on your mind is their ability to communicate effectively. It’s not uncommon for parents to use the terms “speech” and “language” interchangeably, but they actually refer to two distinct yet interconnected aspects of communication. In this blog, I want to shed light on the differences between speech and language, helping you gain a better understanding of these critical components of your child’s development.

1. Speech: The Articulation of Sounds

Speech refers to the physical production of sounds used to form words and sentences. It’s the ability to articulate individual sounds and string them together to convey meaningful messages. Here are a few key points to keep in mind about speech:

• Articulation: This involves the precise movement of the lips, tongue, jaw, and vocal cords to create sounds. It’s the foundation for clear and intelligible speech.
• Phonology: Phonology deals with the rules governing the sounds of a language. Children need to learn the specific sounds and sound patterns (phonemes) of their native language.
• Fluency: Fluency relates to the rhythm and smoothness of speech. Children might face challenges like stuttering or cluttering, which affect their fluency.
• Voice: Voice quality is another aspect of speech. It involves pitch, loudness, and resonance. Some children may have voice disorders that affect their ability to speak clearly.

2. Language: The Framework of Communication

Language, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses not just speech but also the rules, symbols, and structures used to convey meaning. Language can be divided into two main components:

• Expressive Language: This involves a child’s ability to express themselves using words, sentences, gestures, or augmentative/alternative communication. It includes vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to convey thoughts and feelings.
• Receptive Language: This refers to a child’s ability to understand and comprehend spoken or written language. It involves listening skills, following directions, and understanding stories or conversations.
• Pragmatics: Pragmatics deals with the social use of language. It includes turn-taking in conversations, understanding non-verbal cues (like body language and facial expressions), and adapting language for different situations.

3. The Interplay Between Speech and Language

Speech and language are intricately connected. While speech is the vehicle for expressing language, language provides the content that speech conveys. A breakdown in either can impact overall communication. For example:

• Speech Without Language: A child might have clear speech but struggle with using words to express thoughts or emotions (expressive language disorder).
• Language Without Speech: Some children may understand language but face challenges in articulating sounds or words (speech sound disorder).

4. Understanding Early Warning Signs

Recognizing the difference between speech and language can help you identify potential issues early on. Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Speech Concerns: If your child consistently mispronounces sounds, stutters, or has voice problems beyond the typical developmental stages, it may be worth consulting a speech pathologist.
• Language Concerns: If your child has limited vocabulary, difficulty forming sentences, trouble following directions, or struggles to engage in age-appropriate conversations, consider seeking a language evaluation.

5. Seeking Help

If you ever have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s communication skills.

Back 2 School 4 Sep 2023, 4:52 pm

Back 2 School (and Speech Therapy), In Style!

Oh my gosh! The kids loved these back to school cookies from Darling Details Cookies. Going back to school after a long summer is fun, but also stressful. Our kids had a nice little treat after their big days.

We Are Back! 7 May 2021, 2:42 am

As of this month, we are back to offering in person sessions. We do still offer Teletherapy as an option. Please contact Small Talk, LLC for scheduling or more information.

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Spring Scavenger Hunt 30 Apr 2020, 2:13 pm

I am so thankful that I am able to do teletherapy during this crazy time and continue to work on speech and language goals.  But, I know that teletherapy is even more screen time!  If your household is anything like mine, screen time is out of control right now!  It’s difficult to balance activities for your children with work and home responsibilities, I know.  Here is a fun activity to get your child off of a screen and outside.  Use this to work on anything from language to articulation goals.  Or, just use it to have fun and get a break from all of the rest.  I miss you all but am so happy that I get to see most of your faces each week.

Teletherapy Now Available 6 Apr 2020, 1:53 pm

I dove into teletherapy last week and it went swimmingly!  I love that I am able to see my clients again and get back to work on their goals.

Contact marci@smalltalkllc.com to setup your session.

Meet Kasey 4 Apr 2020, 11:46 pm

Hello! My name is Kasey Gray and I am a licensed, ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. I earned both my undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and my master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from James Madison University. I have experience providing speech therapy services in a variety of settings including outpatient hospital clinics, schools, homes, and private practice. Across all settings, it is my joy and passion to see children grow in their communication skills by progressing towards their personal goals and becoming functional communicators in their communities.

I have completed continuing education in a wide range of areas including DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cuing), PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), Autism Spectrum Disorders, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), and Social Thinking.

I am experienced and passionate about providing speech and language services to children with social/pragmatic deficits, articulation disorders, language disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. I look forward to working with you and your child to achieve their communication goals!

Request An Evaluation with Kasey