How to Increase a Toddler's Words and Phrases

Expanding your toddler's vocabulary can be a fun experience.

Some children's television shows claim to assist toddlers with learning new words and phrases, but according to a report cited on Science Daily, toddlers learn best through human interaction. Teaching a toddler how to expand her words and phrases requires patience and diligence. You may need to repeat the same word hundreds of times before the toddler is able to say it for herself. After all, she is making new sounds for the first time.

Instructions

1. Converse with your toddler. After you speak, allow your toddler to make a word or two. Even if he only makes a noise, you are still conversing with him and this can help develop his language skills by teaching him new words and phrases.

2. Say "Can you say..." and then say a word very slowly. Either your toddler will not be interested or he could play the game for 30 minutes or more. Try this game when your toddler has lots of energy.

3. Talk to your baby naturally. Many parents use "baby talk" to communicate with their child, but toddlers learn receptive language prior to expressive language. Hearing the words the way they were meant to be said will help your toddler articulate her own words.

4. Say more than one word in a row once your toddler can easily master matching single words. Show him the item you are describing and then make comparisons. For example, "big ball" and "small ball."

5. Say long words to your baby. A word such as "discovery" may seem daunting, but practicing these words can help your baby easily grasp simpler words. You may have to repeat the same challenging word to your toddler hundreds of times, but eventually he will be able to say the word.

References

• Science Daily: Turn off TV to Teach Toddlers New Words
• Penn State: Toddler Talk
• Help My Toddler Talk: You Can Encourage Speech Development in Your Chld Today