Point to familiar objects and name them. When a child hears an object called the same name over and over, he learns to connect the spoken word with its meaning.
“Here’s your blanket. Your very favorite blanket. What a
nice, soft blanket!”
When your child begins to speak, build his language. A child starts talking by using single words and short sentences. You can help by filling in missing words and using complete sentences.
Child: “Cookie.”
Parent: “Oh, you want another cookie? OK, you can have just one more.”
Child: “Go car.”
Parent: “Yes, we’re all going to go in the car. But first, you have to put on your coat.”
Encourage your child to talk with you. Ask questions that show you are interested in what she thinks and says. Ask her to share ideas and events that are important to her. Ask her questions that require her to talk, rather than just to give yes or no answers. Listen carefully to what she says.
“What would you like to do next?”
“What do you suppose made that big noise?”