Help your child talk — language activities

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."

To see which sounds to expect when, check speech sounds by age.

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.