Talking

Talking To your Toddler

• Encourage toddlers to talk by talking with them. Use real words, adult talk and no more than two or three sentences at a time. Remember, talk with them, not at them.
• Listening can often be just as important. Encourage your toddler to listen to you speaking and to hear all the new 'doing' words. These include words like playing, putting, washing and cutting. Describe what you're doing, who with, why and how.
• Listening works both ways. Make sure you listen to your toddler.
• Toddlers may feel frustrated when they are unable to say what they want. Ask your child to show you. Try and piece together the one or two words you may have understood.
• Be consistent in the words you use and the way you use them when getting your toddler's attention or asking them to do something. Do not give too many instructions at once and give them simple, clear instructions one step at a time.
• Things you can do:
  • tell stories, sing songs, and make up rhymes and poems
  • play games with sounds and words
  • get older toddlers to talk about their experiences
  • go to supermarkets, shops, the post office, on a bus ride
  • use the words associated with a place, eg a restaurant has words that are not used at home such as menu, waiter, serve yourself, a bill
  • read books everyday
  • listen when toddlers talk to you - try not to rush the child or say it for them.

courtesy Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Toddlers Ages And Stages :: Toddlers Sleeping :: Toddlers Eating
Toddlers Toileting :: Toddlers Discipline :: Toddlers Tantrums
Talking To Toddlers :: Toddlers Positive Body Attitude
Toddlers Playing ::

Home
 

Main Parenting Index Page