How to Increase a Toddler' s Vocabulary

People are always amazed by how many words my daughter can say. She has a pretty big vocabulary. I believe that one of the reasons for this is because her parents have spent a lot of time working with her. Here are some of the techniques we have used that have helped her to successfully communicate with those around her.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flash cards
• Sign language resources.
• Books
• Children's videos

1. One simple thing you can do is to make several activities during the day teaching opportunities. For instance, say you and your child are walking to the mail box, take a few extra minutes to stop and say "this is grass" point to the grass, let them feel it, and say "grass" several times giving them a minute to absorb it. They may not repeat the word at first but point it out to you later when you don't even expect it.

2. A very important way to build your child's vocabulary is through books. Story time is a great way to introduce new words and illustrations. As your toddler looks at the illustrations, tell them what several things in the pictures are called. Read to your child as much as possible. The time together is a great for bonding and helps your child to develop a love for reading.

3. Use flash cards. We have bought several boxes of flash cards from the Dollar Tree and some from Baby Einstein. A wide variety is good.
   You could even make your own flash cards if you wanted to.
   My daughter likes to sit with me and go through a stack of flash cards. She likes to see the pictures and I like presenting her with new words. I just go at her pace letting her spend more time on the pictures that she likes and skipping the ones that she is not interested in. I figure that we can always go back to those.

4. Teach your child some sign language. You can check videos out from the library or buy videos that will teach you and your child some basic signs. There is an awesome series for kids called Signing Time. Our family likes it a lot. Signing can help teach kids that are not talking yet, ways to communicate their needs which reduces crying and tantrums. I think that it has really helped to increase our child's vocabulary.

5. Consider letting your toddler watch some children's videos. These can
   show them things that are outside of their world and expand their vocabulary and imagination.

6. Take advantage of some of the recourses on the internet. These are great and they are free. Sesame Street's website has many cute teaching videos and games for you and your toddler.
   Hope these tips are useful to you and your child.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise your child's successes.
• Encourage your toddler.
• Be consistent with your teaching.
• Have some enthusiasm when teaching.
• Remember that every child develops at their own pace.
• Don't get discouraged or frustrated.
• Don't place unrealistic expectations on your child.
• Don't cause them to have negative feelings towards learning or speaking.

Resources

• Baby Signing Time Volume 1 DVD
• Signing Time Volume 1: My First Signs DVD

[static404]

on 9/16/2009 You're right. There are some fabulous resources on the internet for teaching your toddler some vocabulary. Thanks for the article.

[tnpos]

on 7/25/2009 Very good stuff! Music always helps me! Thanks! 5! P.E.A.C.E

[ShannaFuentes]

on 7/17/2009 Great article on incrreasing your toddler's vocabulary!! Thanks for the tips!!

[evgnspaces]

on 7/16/2009 Great ideas of ways to spend educational time with little ones. Just don't be too discouraged, some kids take longer to catch on but when they do it all comes at once.

[cavalrywife]

on 7/16/2009 I've been working with my 18 month old on this and I will be using some of your methods to help us out! Thank you for the very useful information. 5*