What is the best way to help your 2 year old speak?

Question

What is the best way to help your 2 year old speak?

Answer 1

Hi there!! Here are some strategies that you can use at home:

1) do not anticipate your child's needs or wants. In other words, don't just 'give' the child things without him/her attempting to engage with you.

2) delay your responses to his/her gestures. If the child points to something, allow him to attempt to verbalize the word. After 10 seconds, if he is having trouble retrieving the word, you can model it for him.

3) Modify your language if necessary. Use clear and short phrases, if needed. And always give the child the correct word if s/he is still using 'baby talk' words.

4) Read to him/her!!! Show them pictures, point to the pictures, have the child identify them, have the child name them....

5) Describe what you are doing. For example, if your child is next to you while you are washing dishes, you can say out loud what you are doing, even in a song! (e.g., "soap soap the dishes, now we rinse rinse rinse the dishes, aaand we put them to dry! Dry dry dry!)

6) Use parallel talk. This is pretty much the same as above, except you are describing what THE CHILD is doing.

7) Be very encouraging when the child actually does use real words to communicate.

8) Expand the child's verbalizations. For example, if s/he says 'ball' you can say 'yes, green ball.' If s/he says 'green ball' you can respond 'yes, big green ball,' etc. This will allow the child to also understand expanded sentences.

9) Be patient.

:)

If you have any questions or want more specific examples, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

I agree about talking to them about anything and everything.

Also, take an object and put it up close to your mouth and then slowly say what it is.  Ex. Grab a ball put it right under your chin and say "BAAAAALLLL" really slowly.  That way they are focused on the movement of your mouth and they are very clear about what it is you are talking about.

I also agree that I'd run it by your doctor and see if they want your child evaluated by a speech therapist.

Answer 3

My oldest was in speech therapy for 2 years and my toddler (2 years) just started it.  Trust me, talking to them alot doesn't really work if they are truly speech delayed.  Get your child evaulated by early intervention program if you are concerned.  My oldest only babbled alot, and didn't imitate words well.  I thought it was because my mother-in-law watched her with no other kids really around.  My 2 year old is at a family daycare with other kids and is around language all day long.  She imitates words well, but doesn't say 2-3 word sentences yet.  Some kids just need help to talk.

Answer 4

Talk to them as much as possible! That is the absolute BEST thing you can do!!

Tell them what different items are, what you are doing, where you are going, what the weather is like, about your childhood, etc. It doesn't really matter what you talk about! Children who are talked with more have larger vocabularies!

If you are concerned that they are not talking as much as they should be, have your pediatrician refer them to a speech pathologist to see if there is a problem!

Answer 5

I agree with the person above. Did you know Einsten didn't talk till he was like 5-6? LOL

Answer 6

Force them to ask for what they want.  If they don't - then don't give it to them.

Answer 7

You just always have to talk to them and pronounce your words very clearly. And encourage them to talk. When they say a word praise them like it's the best thing in the world. It works! Myt daughter is 21 months and ate 18 months she put sentences together.