How to Help Your Child Start Talking at Home

As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s speech development. Whether your child is receiving speech therapy or you simply want to encourage their language skills, there are plenty of activities you can do at home to make speech practice engaging and fun. Here are some tips and ideas for supporting your child’s speech development every day:

1. Read Together

Reading together is one of the most effective ways to boost your child’s language skills. Not only does it expose them to new vocabulary, but it also helps with understanding sentence structure, speech rhythm, and the sounds of words.

• Choose age-appropriate books: For younger children, look for books with rhyming words or repetitive phrases that encourage speech imitation. Be sure to sit in front of little ones while reading rather than side by side, so that they can watch your face and mouth. You don’t have to read the entire book—sometimes just pointing to pictures and talking about what you see is a great way to model speech.

• Fill-in-the-blanks: As you read, pause and leave blanks for your child to fill in. For example, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You _____?" This encourages active participation in the story and helps with language recall.

2. Wait Time

One simple yet powerful strategy you can use at home is wait time. After you ask a question or model a word, pause and give your child at least 5 seconds to respond.

• Why it helps: Some children need extra time to process language and form their response. By waiting, you show that you expect and believe they will communicate.

• How to use it: After you model a word or ask a question, silently count to 5 before jumping in. Watch for any sounds, words, gestures, or eye gaze your child may use — all forms of communication are important!

3. Modeling

Children learn to talk by hearing others talk. Modeling is simply saying the words, phrases, or sentences you want your child to learn — without expecting them to immediately repeat it.

• Why it helps: Hearing clear, simple models over and over helps build your child’s language skills naturally.

• How to use it: If your child says, "Ball," you could model, "Yes, a big ball!" or "Red ball!" Focus on slightly expanding or adding one or two words to what your child already says.

4. Communication Opportunities

Creating lots of chances for your child to communicate is key! Sometimes we anticipate what children want before they even need to ask — but by holding back just a little, we can encourage them to use words, gestures, or sounds.

• How to use it:

  • Offer choices ("Do you want the car or the truck?")

  • Put favorite toys slightly out of reach so your child has to request help.

  • Pause during a routine (like stopping mid-song) and wait for your child to indicate they want more.

5. Imitating Your Child

Sometimes the best way to encourage communication is by imitating what your child says or does.

• Why it helps: Imitation shows your child that you are listening and that their communication is important. It also encourages turn-taking, which is a critical skill for conversation.

• How to use it: If your child bangs a drum, bang the drum too. If they babble "ba-ba," you can repeat "ba-ba!" Once they notice you're copying them, you can model new sounds or actions to expand their play and speech.

6. Use Daily Routines to Teach Vocabulary

Whenever you’re out and about, try to integrate learning into daily routines. Whether you’re grocery shopping, walking to the park, or setting the table, you can introduce new words naturally.

• Name objects and actions: For example, at the grocery store, point out fruits, vegetables, or colors, and encourage your child to repeat their names.

• Describe actions: Use words like “open,” “close,” “push,” or “fast” to expand your child's vocabulary while they engage in everyday tasks.

7. Incorporate Music and Songs

Songs are a great way to engage your child’s auditory processing skills, rhythm, and speech production. Singing repetitive songs or chants helps them become familiar with sounds and patterns.

• Sing simple songs: Think of songs that your child loves, especially those that involve actions.

• Make up your own songs: Create silly, simple songs together using the words your child is working on in therapy. Singing them regularly can reinforce their learning.

**If you notice that your child is having difficulty with speech or language milestones, consider reaching out for professional support. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can guide you with personalized strategies.

At Mimi & Me Speech Therapy, we are dedicated to helping children build strong, confident communication skills. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call for more guidance or questions. We are here to help!