Worried that your toddler isn’t talking as much as peers? You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. With the right speech therapy tips, parents can turn everyday moments into language lessons. Below, you’ll find practical, evidence-based strategies to build communication skills at home in a way that feels playful and low-stress for both of you.
What Counts as “Late Talking”?
Every child develops at their own pace, but knowing general milestones can help you spot when extra support may be helpful.
- By 12 months: babbling, using gestures (waving, pointing), and maybe 1–2 words like “mama/dada.”
- By 18 months: 10–20 words and understanding simple instructions.
- By 24 months: 50+ words, combining two words (e.g., “more milk,” “daddy up”), and following two-step directions.
Red flags that warrant a conversation with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist (SLP):
- No babbling by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No two-word combinations by 24 months
- Limited eye contact, gesture use, or response to name
- Any loss of skills (regression)
Remember: these are guides, not guarantees. Many late-talking toddlers make strong progress with intentional parent speech strategies and early support.
Core Speech Therapy Tips You Can Use Today
These parent-friendly techniques come straight from clinical best practice. Choose one or two to focus on this week, then layer in more as they become second nature.
1) Build Connection Before Words
Language blooms when your child feels seen, safe, and engaged.
- Get face-to-face at their eye level.
- Follow their lead: notice what they look at, touch, or bring to you.
- Use warm, animated expression to keep attention and spark joint play.
2) Talk Less, Say It Better
Short, consistent models are easier to learn.
- Use 1–3 word phrases that match your child’s level: “ball,” “roll ball,” “big ball roll.”
- Repeat key words naturally throughout the activity.
- Emphasize the most important word by slowing down and stressing it: “Push… the CAR.”
3) Parallel Talk and Self-Talk
Narrate what’s happening without quizzing.
- Parallel talk: describe what your child is doing (“You’re stacking blocks! Up, up, up.”)
- Self-talk: describe what you’re doing (“I wash cup. Scrub, scrub. All clean!”)
- Keep it simple, concrete, and fun.
4) Expansion, Extension, and Recast
Grow your child’s message while keeping their meaning.
- Expansion: child says, “dog”; you say, “brown dog.”
- Extension: add new information (“brown dog is running”).
- Recast: gently correct grammar while preserving intent (“Me want ball” → “I want the ball”).
5) The Power of the Pause
Silence is a tool.
- Use an “expectant pause”: look at your child, smile, and wait 3–5 seconds.
- Count in your head if helpful. Many toddlers need that extra time to plan a word or gesture.
6) Offer Choices
Choices reduce frustration and invite communication.
- Hold two items at eye level and label: “Banana or cracker?”
- If your child points, model the word: “Cracker. You want cracker.” Then wait.
7) Imitation Works Both Ways
Imitation jumpstarts interaction.
- Copy your child’s sounds and actions. Then add a small change (new sound or motion) and see if they copy you back.
- Celebrate any attempt—sound, gesture, or word.
8) Use Gestures and Signs Alongside Speech
Gestures and basic signs (like “more,” “all done”) do not delay speech— they support it.
- Pair each gesture/sign with the spoken word.
- Over time, many children replace signs with words as their system matures.
9) Reduce Questions; Increase Comments
Too many questions can feel like a test.
- Aim for a 4:1 ratio of comments to questions.
- When you do ask, use choice questions (“Do you want bubbles or ball?”) and yes/no questions sparingly.
Play-Based Language Development Activities
Play is the most natural setting for toddler speech delay support. Try these simple language development activities.
Sound Play and Exclamations
- Use fun, high-frequency sounds: “uh-oh,” “wow,” “m-m-m,” “beep,” “choo-choo,” animal sounds.
- Pair sounds with actions: “vroom” while pushing cars, “pop!” with bubbles.
Repetitive Books and Songs
- Choose books with predictable phrases and leave a blank for your child to fill in: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you… [pause] see?”
- Sing slow, repetitive songs with gestures (Itsy Bitsy Spider). Pause before the last word of a line to invite participation.
Container Play
- Fill a bin with safe items to pull out and label: “ball, spoon, sock.”
- Model verbs: “open, pull, drop, push.”
Pretend Play
- Feed a doll, give animals a bath, drive cars to a garage.
- Model simple scripts: “Night-night, bear. Shh. Wake up!”
Cause-and-Effect Toys
- Wind-up toys, pop-up boxes, and ramps invite repetition.
- Use the same words each time: “Ready… set… GO!”
Everyday Routines: Turn Moments into Words
Routines repeat daily, making them perfect for practice.
Mealtime
- Label foods, utensils, and actions: “cut, scoop, bite, drink.”
- Offer choices: “cup or straw?”
- Build simple sentence frames: “I want + [food].”
Bath Time
- Name body parts and verbs: “wash hands,” “rinse hair,” “splash water.”
- Use a consistent cleanup song with pauses to encourage vocalizing.
Getting Dressed
- Practice clothing words and concepts: “sock on,” “zip up,” “blue shirt.”
- Turn it into a game: “Where’s your foot? There!”
Out and About
- Narrate the world: “Big bus. Stop. Go.”
- Follow their attention: if they watch dogs, talk about dogs.
Bilingual Families: What You Should Know
Bilingual exposure does not cause a toddler speech delay. If you are raising a bilingual child:
- Speak the language you’re most comfortable in—rich, natural language matters most.
- Keep strategies the same across languages: short models, repetition, and lots of interaction.
- Look at total communication across both languages (words, gestures, signs), not just one language.
Screen Time and Environment
Creating a language-rich environment can make a big difference.
- Prioritize face-to-face interaction over screen time, especially under age two.
- Turn background TV off during play.
- Keep toys that invite interaction (blocks, cars, pretend sets) within easy reach.
When to Seek Professional Help
Your instincts matter. If you’re concerned, early evaluation is always a good idea.
- Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP).
- Request a hearing screen; even mild hearing loss can impact speech and language.
- Explore local early intervention services; they often provide free or low-cost assessments for toddlers.
An SLP can pinpoint strengths, identify any underlying issues, and create a plan tailored to your child. The strategies you learn in therapy—and practice at home—are a powerful combination.
Tracking Progress and Staying Encouraged
Change is easier to notice when you track it.
- Keep a running list of new words, signs, and gestures.
- Note what sparked each new skill (a favorite song, a certain toy, a routine).
- Celebrate attempts, not just perfect words. Progress is progress!
Trusted, evidence-based resources can guide you along the way. Tiny Talkers—developed with input from doctors, speech therapists, and educators—offers clear parent speech strategies and language development activities that fit real family life. Many families find that pairing professional guidance with a structured home plan leads to faster gains.
A Simple Starter Plan for This Week
Try this gentle, high-impact routine:
- Pick one daily activity (mealtime) and one play activity (bubbles).
- Choose 5 target words (e.g., “more, open, pop, big, go”).
- Use short phrases and repeat your targets often.
- Add an expectant pause during the most exciting moment.
- Expand your child’s attempts: “pop” → “big pop.”
- Track any new sounds or words you hear.
If you want more structure, explore resources like Tiny Talkers for step-by-step, expert-backed ideas you can reuse and build on.
Final Encouragement
Late-talking toddlers are learning every day, and you are your child’s best teacher. With consistent, playful practice—and the right speech therapy tips—you can turn routines into rich language lessons. Keep it simple, stay patient, and celebrate small wins. Your presence, joy, and steady modeling are the most powerful tools in the room.