Hearing your child say their first words is an exciting milestone! While every child develops at their own pace, there are many easy, play-based ways to support early communication right at home. Here are five simple strategies you can start using today.
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Follow Your Child’s Lead
Instead of directing the play, join in with what your child is already interested in. If they’re pushing a car, say “go!” or “vroom!” If they’re looking at bubbles, model “pop!” Children are most motivated to communicate during activities they love.
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Use Simple, Repeated Words
Choose short, everyday words and repeat them naturally during routines—words like up, more, go, open, or bye-bye. Repetition helps your child hear the same sounds again and again, making it easier for them to try saying the word themselves.
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Pause and Wait
After you say something or offer a choice, pause and give your child time to respond. This small moment of silence encourages them to fill in the gap—maybe with a sound, gesture, or word.
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More Modeling, Less Quizzing
Instead of asking “What’s this?” over and over, model the word yourself:
“Ball!”
“Big ball!”
Children learn more from hearing rich, meaningful language than from answering questions.
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Build Words into Daily Routines
Routines offer predictable moments that help children connect words to actions.
- During meals: “more,” “eat,” “yum.”
- During bath time: “wash,” “splash,” “wet.”
- Getting dressed: “sock,” “on,” “off.”
The more your child hears language in context, the more likely they are to use it.
Remember, consistent use of these strategies is key to seeing meaningful progress.