Speaking
My daughter is 2 years old and only speaks basic words. What can I do to help her talk more?
Most children speak their first words between 10months and 14months years old. Some speak younger some take longer
You can help it in the following ways:
- Explore the world. Go for a walk in the park, to the supermarket and talk to him, for example say "look at the children playing", "the birds chirping"
- You talk all the time. The more you talk, the faster they will talk. It's even better to show him at the same time
- Repeat, repeat, repeat.
- Talk to the child as if he were an adult. Don't use diminutives and reinforce his effort.
- You sing. The songs are catchy, have simple lyrics and repeat words.
- Ask him questions. Always ask your little one, "Do you want to eat?", "Do you want to read a book?". Everything matters because the child understands and tries to communicate.
- Listen to your child. Always give him the attention he asks for when he talks to you, and if it doesn't happen at that moment, try later. The child realizes that you understood him when he spoke to you but you could not answer him at that moment.
- You become more expressive in your speech. This is what educators do, and not by chance.
- Be clear and brief. When his understanding starts to increase try using a word in different sentences.
- Let the child speak freely. We don't need to turn his life into a lesson.
Your little one is special in everything. Try not to compare the number of words he says to other children his age. If you want you can discuss it with your doctor.
Anesiadou Kassiani, nursery teacher
Kokkinou Sofia, kindergarten teacher
