How to Encourage Your Toddler to Talk

12-18 Months Tips for Parents

How to Encourage a Toddler to Talk

Tips and tricks for helping your toddler to talk

 

Welcome to toddlerhood. Your little one is experiencing a lot of big firsts: first steps, first friends, maybe even first words.

At this age, your child is always learning. And each day they're finding new words (like "Yes" and, probably more often, "No!"). Wondering how many words your toddler should know, and at what age? When will they say "Mama" or "Dada" (especially if the cat's name came first)?

Here's what to expect, and how you can help your mini move past baby talk.

Talking Timeline

Your baby's first words will often be names like "Mama" and "Dada"

Toddlers start to talk in 2-word sentences, like "Mummy shoe" and "Daddy car".

A talking toddler will form short sentences, ask lots of questions and want to know the word for everything.

Pre-schoolers speak in full sentences and ask big questions starting with "why" or "how". Endlessly.

How can you help your tiny talker?

By the age of 2, your toddler learns two or three words every day. Here's how you can help your tiny talker:

Name objects

Your toddler loves to point and ask "What's that?" Be sure to always answer, even on repeat.

Keep it simple

Talking to your toddler means speaking simply and slowly so your little one can understand. Don't be afraid to introduce new words.

Talk more

Build on your toddler's one-word sentences. Explain what's happening. For example, "Yes, that's the fire engine. It's driving to help people".

Talking toys for babies

Play is a great way to teach your toddler new words. We've got some super-fun toys to help boost the toddler talk – they'll be having so much fun, they won't even know they're levelling up.

Laugh & Learn ™ Smart Stages ™ Puppy & Sis

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Laugh & Learn ® Storybook Rhymes

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Linkimals ™ Musical Learning Toys

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Little People ® Cars & Vehicles

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Toddlers might be tiny, but they have big personalities.

Before you know it, they'll be using words to tell you what they really think. Just don't expect too much too soon.

They're learning a whole new language after all.