If your toddler isn't talking as much as other kids their age, you've probably heard a lot of well-meaning advice: "Boys talk later," "Einstein didn't talk until he was four," or "Just wait — they'll catch up." While some late talkers do catch up on their own, the truth is that you don't have to just wait and see. There are simple, everyday things you can do right now to support your child's language growth.
These strategies come straight from what we use in speech therapy sessions. They're designed to fit naturally into your daily routine — during meals, bath time, play, and errands. No special equipment needed. Just you, your child, and a little intentionality.
Narrate Your Day Like a Sportscaster
One of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk about what's happening around your child. This is called parallel talk — describing what your child is doing, seeing, and experiencing in real time.
What this looks like:
- •"You're putting the block on top. Stack, stack, stack!"
- •"You're eating banana. Yum, banana!"
- •"The water is warm! Splash, splash!"
You don't need to narrate every second — that would be exhausting. But weaving in short, simple descriptions during everyday moments gives your child a constant stream of language that's connected to what they're actually experiencing. This is how children learn that words have meaning.
Follow Their Lead (Don't Direct the Play)
When your child is playing, resist the urge to direct the activity or quiz them. Instead, sit at their level, watch what they're interested in, and join in. This is called child-led play, and it's one of the foundations of speech therapy.
If your child is lining up cars, don't say "What color is this car?" Instead, grab a car yourself and say "Vroom! My car is going fast!" You're modeling language within their world, which makes it far more meaningful than drilling questions.
Children learn language best when they're engaged and having fun — not when they feel tested. Follow their curiosity, and the words will follow.
Use "One-Up" Language
Meet your child where they are, then add just a little bit more. This strategy is called expansion, and it's one of the most effective ways to build language naturally.
How it works:
The key is to add just one word or concept beyond what your child is already doing. If they're not using words yet, you "one-up" their gestures by adding a single word. If they're using single words, you model two-word phrases. This keeps the language just slightly above their current level — challenging enough to learn from, but not so far ahead that it's overwhelming.
Create Communication Temptations
Sometimes the best way to encourage language is to create situations where your child needs to communicate. Speech therapists call these communication temptations — small, playful setups that motivate your child to use words, gestures, or sounds.
Try these at home:
- •Put a favorite toy in a clear container they can't open. Wait for them to ask for help (a look, a gesture, a sound — anything counts!).
- •Give them a snack they love, but only a tiny bit. Wait for them to request more before giving the next piece.
- •Start a familiar routine and then pause. If you always say "ready, set, GO!" before pushing them on the swing, stop at "ready, set..." and wait.
- •Blow bubbles and then close the lid. Wait for them to communicate that they want more before blowing again.
The goal isn't to frustrate your child — it's to create a gentle reason to communicate. Always accept any attempt (a look, a reach, a sound) and respond warmly. Over time, these moments build the habit of using communication to get what they want.
Read Together (But Make It Interactive)
Reading with your child is wonderful for language — but it doesn't have to mean reading every word on the page. For late talkers, interactive reading is more effective than reading the story word-for-word.
How to make reading interactive:
- •Point to pictures and name them: "Look, a dog! Woof woof!"
- •Use sound effects and animal noises — these are often some of the first "words" children produce.
- •Let your child turn the pages and choose which pictures to talk about.
- •Pause and wait — give your child time to point, babble, or say a word before you continue.
Books with simple, repetitive text and large pictures work best. Don't worry about finishing the book — it's more valuable to spend five minutes really engaging with two pages than to rush through the whole thing.
When to Seek Professional Support
These strategies can make a real difference, but they're not a substitute for professional evaluation if you have concerns. If your child is 18 months or older and you're worried about their language development, trust your instincts. Early intervention is one of the most effective things you can do for your child.
A speech-language pathologist can assess your child's communication skills, give you a clear picture of where they are, and help you decide whether therapy would be helpful. Many families find that even a few months of early support makes a significant difference.
At Baker Speech Therapy, we specialize in working with late talkers and young children. We offer evaluations and therapy in Westchester, NY (in-clinic and virtual) and Chicago, IL (in-home, in-daycare, and virtual). If you'd like to learn more, we'd love to hear from you.