Helping your child talk — everyday activities that build language

If your child is a late talker, it's tempting to reach for flashcards or an app. But the most powerful thing for building language isn't a product — it's you, talking and playing alongside them through the ordinary moments of the day.^[] Here are simple, evidence-aligned ways to do more of it.

Narrate the day

Talk about what you're doing as you do it: "I'm pouring the milk… now we stir." This "self-talk" and "parallel talk" floods your child with words tied to real things in front of them, which is exactly how language sticks.^[][]

Follow their lead

Watch what your child is looking at or reaching for, and put words to it. If they point at a dog, you say "Dog! A big brown dog." Responding to their interests — rather than directing the play — gives them a reason to communicate and keeps them engaged.^[]

Play with words

Everyday play is a language goldmine. Singing, naming games ("Where's Teddy's nose?"), reading the same book over and over, and silly turn-taking games all give your child repeated chances to hear and try words.^[] Repetition isn't boring to a toddler — it's how they practise.

Expand, don't correct

When your child says "more juice," resist the urge to correct. Instead, gently expand: "You want more juice — yes, more apple juice please." This shows them the next step up without making talking feel like a test.^[]

Give them time

Build in pauses. After you ask something or comment, wait — count to five in your head. Children often need a beat to find their words, and rushing in fills the silence they were about to use.^[]

When to get extra help

These strategies help every child, but they're not a substitute for an assessment if you're worried. If by age 2 your child isn't putting two words together, or by age 3 strangers struggle to understand most of what they say, it's worth talking to a speech pathologist. Early support tends to be quicker and easier than waiting to "see if they grow out of it."

A speech pathologist can also tailor these everyday strategies to your child specifically — and at Hey Sprout, that coaching happens in your home over video, so the practice fits straight into your real routine.