Hearing your child start talking is an exciting milestone for a parent. Throughout the toddler years, they’ll continue building up their vocabulary through everyday activities and interactions. This early childhood language development is not only important for cultivating communication skills and expressing feelings, but also for preparing them to thrive in school. Here are a few ways you can help your little one expand their word bank.

How to Build Vocabulary in Toddlers 

1. Engage Them in Conversation 

The more opportunities toddlers have to engage in conversation, the more words and phrases they’ll learn. Make time every day to simply talk to your child while giving them your undivided attention. Ask about their day and have them show you what they did at day care or go for a walk outside and discuss what you see. This is also a good way to start adding adjectives and verbs to the words they already know. For example, you can respond with “red car” or “loud car” when they say car. 

2. Focus on Repetition 

Repetition is key in early childhood language development and plays a big role in how toddlers learn. Reading books and singing songs that feature repetitive phrases allows them to become familiar with certain words. Soon, they’ll be able to recite them along with you or fill in the blank wherever you pause. Read and sing often to encourage vocabulary expansion and teach a variety of new concepts. 

3. Give Them Choices

Whenever possible, give your child different options to choose from. Whether it’s deciding which shirt to wear or snack to eat, this will motivate them to tell you what they want. It also provides a connection between the words you’re saying and the items they’re being shown. The association will make it easier to remember what specific objects are called during their early childhood years. 

4. Narrate Your Actions

As you go about your day, narrate the different actions you take. Even when you don’t realize it, your toddler is constantly observing you. By telling them what you’re doing, you’re helping them match words to those behaviors so they can start verbalizing them on their own. For instance, while getting them dressed, say “I’m putting on your shoes,” or when making dinner, say “I’m stirring the noodles.”

If you’re looking for a preschool that values the importance of language acquisition in early childhood, reach out to First Steps Southbury Day Care and Learning Center in New Haven County, CT. They offer a curriculum that encourages toddlers to learn in a fun and safe environment. Since 1982, their staff has been committed to providing families with high-quality child care through various programs designed to meet different needs. Call (203) 264-3735 to schedule a tour, or visit them online for more information about their services.