by Carol Bloomfield

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: January 11, 2012

To increase your toddler's vocabulary there are a few simple things you can incorporate into your daily life. Many of these come naturally, the rest are easy habits to develop. 

Conversation

Fill your home with conversation, talk to each other, talk to your toddler and when you are tired of talking, sing. The more a baby gets to hear their mother tongue the sooner they will learn the sounds and start experimenting with noise-making themselves and the more conversation a toddler hears the broader their vocabulary will become. Start conversations with your toddler, ask questions and encourage them to join in as much as possible.

The Running Commentary

Name the every day objects you come across, Tell your child what you are doing, where you are going and what you see along the way. Mundane events, the things you do every day, are perfect opportunities for naming objects, counting, identifying colours. When you are dressing them, for example, name parts of the body and items of clothing, count their toes, say things like "this side first, now the other." It may seem quite inane to you but it really will make a difference later on. Repetition is key.

Nursery Rhymes and Songs

This running commentary can make you feel as if you are going crazy, don't do it to the point of exhaustion, there are alternatives! Listening to nursery rhymes and songs are a joyful way for the toddlers to be introduced to the wonder of words, so get some CDs. It's great to hear your child join in and you may well be surprised at how soon that happens and how many words they know as a result.

Embellish and Encourage

Once your toddler starts talking, embellish what they say. At first they will use single words so if they say "car" add its colour, or if they say "dog" say "Yes, the dog is barking." Make sure you have the right tone of voice when you do this though, it must come naturally and not sound as if you are correcting them or are bored by their words! When you are talking with them give them choices, for example ask questions like "is the chair red or yellow?" And if you ask them a question, make sure you give them plenty of time to answer; they often take longer than you expect. When others join the conversation don't speak for your toddler, allow them the freedom to speak for themselves but remember you may be more tuned in to your child's pronunciation so help the other person understand if necessary. Every positive experience reinforces your child's desire to learn and use more

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>