8 Tips to improve your toddler’s Vocabulary

Building a strong vocabulary is very important in your child’s development. Here are 8 simple tips to help your child.

Read together: Reading is one of the most effective ways to expose your toddler to new words and concepts. Choose age-appropriate books with colourful pictures and engaging stories, and read aloud to your toddler regularly. Ask questions about the story, encourage them to point at pictures, and discuss the book together to expand their vocabulary.

Talk, talk, talk: Engage in conversations with your toddler throughout the day. Talk about what you’re doing, what your toddler is doing, and what you see in your environment. Use simple and clear language, and repeat words often to reinforce learning. Encourage your toddler to respond and express themselves, even if it’s just with a few words.

Expand on their language: When your toddler uses a word or a short phrase, expand on it to provide more information. For example, if your toddler says “doggy,” you can respond with “Yes, that’s a big, brown doggy!” This helps your toddler learn new words and phrases in context.

Use descriptive language: When talking to your toddler, use descriptive language to help them learn new words and concepts. Describe the colours, sizes, shapes, and functions of objects, animals, and people around them. For example, “Look at the red apple,” or “The yellow duck is swimming in the water.”

Play with a variety of toys: Playtime is an excellent opportunity for language development. Provide your toddler with a variety of toys that involve different actions, sounds, and concepts. Play with your toddler using toys that encourage them to label, describe, and talk about what they are doing. The Orchard Toys games, linked below, are excellent for helping develop your child’s language.

Sing and rhyme: Singing songs and reciting nursery rhymes are not only fun, but they also help improve your toddler’s vocabulary. Songs and rhymes often have repetitive words and phrases that can reinforce language learning and help your toddler memorize new words.

Provide real-life experiences: Expose your toddler to real-life experiences that provide opportunities for learning new words. Take them on outings to the park, the zoo, or the grocery store, and talk about what you see and do together. Describe objects, actions, and events to help expand their vocabulary.

Limit background noise: Background noise from television, radio, or other sources can interfere with your toddler’s ability to concentrate and listen to language. Try to limit background noise during language-rich activities, such as reading, talking, or playing, to create a more conducive environment for language learning.

Remember to be patient, provide positive reinforcement, and make language learning fun and engaging for your toddler. Each child develops at their own pace, so it’s important to create a supportive and stimulating environment that suits your child’s needs. If you have concerns about your toddler’s vocabulary development, consult with a doctor or a speech-language therapist for further guidance.