Some toddlers chatter away by their second birthday. Others are busy, curious and happy, yet still use only a handful of words.
Children who develop well in other areas but use fewer words than expected are often called late talkers. A common guide is fewer than 50 words at age two, or not yet putting two words together.
City Beach Speech is a mobile paediatric speech pathology practice in Perth that works with late talkers aged one to three at home or at daycare. Its sessions are play-based, using toys, books, songs and daily routines, which is a handy model for parents to borrow.
Some late talkers catch up on their own. Others go on to have ongoing language difficulties, and nobody can reliably predict which group a child will fall into. That is why getting early advice makes sense.
While you wait for advice, or alongside therapy, ordinary family routines give you plenty of chances to build language. None of the ideas below need special equipment.
Get down to your toddler’s level
Toddlers watch faces closely. When you sit on the floor or crouch at their height, they can see your mouth move and your expression change.
This small change often leads to more eye contact. It can also lead to more attempts to copy your sounds and words.
Follow their lead in play
Let your toddler choose the toy or the game. Then join in and talk about what they are doing.
If they are pushing a car, you might say “car”, “fast car” or “crash!” as it happens. Short, simple phrases are much easier for a toddler to copy than long sentences.
Try not to quiz them with “What’s this?” over and over. Commenting on what they’re doing takes the pressure off and keeps play fun for both of you.
Use bath time, meals and nappy changes
Daily routines repeat the same words again and again. That repetition is exactly what a young child needs.
- Bath time: “splash”, “wet”, “bubbles”, “pop”, “all done”.
- Meals: “more”, “yum”, “hot”, “cup”, “spoon”.
- Getting dressed: “shoes on”, “arm in”, “hat”, “up”.
- Outings: “bus”, “dog”, “tree”, “bye bye”.
Pick a few words for each routine and use them every time. Then pause and give your child a chance to fill the gap.
Wait a little longer
Adults are quick to fill silence. Toddlers who are still learning to talk often need a few extra seconds to respond.
Hold up two snacks and wait. Look at your child as if you expect an answer. They might point, make a sound or try a word.
Whatever they offer, respond warmly and say the word for them. This shows them that communicating gets results.
Add one word
If your toddler says “ball”, you can say “big ball” or “ball gone”. Speech pathologists sometimes call this expanding.
It shows them the next step without asking them to repeat it. Over time, many children start joining words together themselves.
Sing and read together
Songs with actions and repeated lines are great for late talkers. Children often join in with the actions first and the words later.
Books work in a similar way. You don’t need to read every word on the page. Point to pictures, name them, make animal noises and let your child turn the pages.
Reading the same book many times is fine. Toddlers love repetition, and familiar books give them the confidence to have a go at the words.
The Raising Children Network has a large library of free Australian information on toddler talking, play and development if you would like to read more.
Give choices
Choices are a simple way to invite words. Hold up a banana and an apple and ask, “Banana or apple?”
Your toddler hears both words right before they need to answer. Even if they only point at first, you can say the word for them as you hand it over.
Over time, many children start to have a go at the word themselves. Try choices with cups, toys, books and clothes throughout the day.
Use gestures and signs
Gestures are an early step in communication. Pointing, waving and simple signs like “more” or “all done” give toddlers a way to share what they want before the words arrive.
Using gestures does not slow down talking. Many children drop the sign once they can say the word. Pair each gesture with the spoken word every time, so your child links the two.
Keep screens in the background
Screens are part of family life for most of us. Still, toddlers learn to talk best through back-and-forth with real people.
If the television is on, it can be hard to hear each other. Switching it off during play and meals gives more room for conversation.
When to ask for advice
Some signs are worth raising with a speech pathologist sooner rather than later:
- No babbling or pointing by about 12 months.
- No words by about 18 months.
- Fewer than 50 words, or no two-word combinations, by about two years.
- Trouble understanding simple instructions.
- Little interest in playing or interacting with others.
A child who loses words or skills they once had should see a GP. Hearing is worth checking too, and your GP can arrange a referral for a hearing test.
What early intervention can look like
For toddlers, speech therapy usually looks a lot like play. The therapist joins in with toys, books and songs while showing parents simple strategies to use at home.
Parents are a big part of the process. Most of a toddler’s learning happens between sessions, during ordinary moments like bath time, meals and trips to the park.
An assessment usually comes first. With very young children it is done through play, and it may take more than one session to get a clear picture.
Small moments add up
You don’t need to set aside a formal practice time each day. A few minutes of focused talking during bath time, meals or play can make a difference over weeks and months.
Stay patient and keep it playful. Trust your instincts too, since you know your child better than anyone.
Celebrate every new sound, word or gesture. Small wins are worth noticing.
If something doesn’t feel right, a short chat with a speech pathologist can help you decide on the next step.
