Children learn language when they’re interested and have a chance to take a turn. When you follow your child’s interests, they’ll be more engaged and motivated to learn language. Follow your child’s interests throughout the day, in playtime or daily activities, such as mealtimes or bedtime.

To figure out what your child is interested in or to understand what they’re telling you:

• Get on the same level as your child and face them.
• Look at your child’s actions, facial expressions, and where they’re looking.
• Listen to your child’s sounds and words.
• Wait for your child to take a turn by saying or doing something.
• Respond once your child has had a turn.

Respond to your child’s questions, interests, and comments. This allows your child to direct the conversation.

Your child won’t always use words. Respond to any kind of communication from your child, whether it’s a sound, action, or look.

Your child’s play may be exploring objects, moving their body, pretending with toys, or games with people. Whatever play your child enjoys, join in and take turns with them. This helps them develop play and communication skills.

• Play alongside your child and take turns with them.
• Copy what your child does and how they play.
• Allow your child to direct the activity or play. Every child plays in their own way. Do the activity the way your child enjoys it.

Speak in a way that makes language easier for your child to understand and learn.

• Slow: Talk slowly and pause often.
• Offer visual supports: Add actions and gestures. Show objects and pictures.
• Animate: Talk with expression and emphasize important words.
• Repeat: Repeat important words and phrases.

Copying your child encourages them to engage with you, take turns, and learn to copy you.

Copy your child’s actions, sounds, and words. If they wave, you wave. If they say, “ba,” you say, “ba.” If they say, “milk,” you say, “milk.”

Your child sends you messages without saying words. They use eye gaze, facial expressions, gestures, and sounds. Interpreting means putting these messages into words. This shows your child that you’ve understood what they’re trying to tell you and gives them an example of words they can use.

When your child sends a message without words, say the word that matches their message. Repeat the word in the interaction with your child. Say 1 word to make it easier for your child to copy you. Your child does not have to copy you. Simply hearing the word helps them learn it. If your child puts their hands up to be picked up say, “up.” If your child says “wa” for water, say, “water.”

Recasting is a way to respond to your child when they make a mistake with speech or language. You can correct them in a way that:

• doesn't interrupt the conversation or activity
• doesn't put pressure on your child or make them feel bad about talking
• helps them continue to communicate their messages
• helps them learn speech sounds, words, and grammar

When your child makes a speech or language mistake, instead of correcting them, simply say the correct words back to them. You can emphasize how to say it correctly by slowing down or saying it a little louder. Directly correcting their mistake can interrupt the conversation and frustrate your child.

Instead of telling your child how to fix their mistake, asking them to copy you, or repeating their error, try to:

• repeat back the correct word or words 3 to 5 times in the conversation
• pause and wait for your child to take a turn

If your child says, “Shh. Deddy sweeping,” you could respond by saying, “Shh. Teddy’s sleeping.”

Plus 1 is when you add 1 idea to what your child says. This helps them learn how to put words together and make longer sentences.

Add an idea to what your child has said. Use complete sentences, including small words like, the, is, or your. If your child says, “car,” you can say, “Let’s play cars.” Your child may or may not copy you. The goal is for your child to hear what they could say.

Talk to your child using simple sentences. This builds their understanding of themselves and the world.

Use simple sentences to talk about what your child is seeing or doing. Talk about the present, past, and future. Use phrases and sentences with correct grammar. Include the small words, like the, is, or your. If your child points to a car, say, “Look at that big car.” If your child says, “car,” you can say, “Let’s go for a car ride.”

Children learn to use words by getting a chance to take turns in conversations. Asking too many questions may cause your child to talk less. Too many questions can feel like a test or stop the flow of conversation.

Turn questions into comments. Instead of asking, “What’s that?” say, “That’s a dog.” It’s okay to ask some questions. When you do ask questions, your child can answer with a gesture or a few words. These include: yes or no questions, giving them choices, or asking what, who, and where questions. How, why and when questions may be more difficult for them to answer.