You are your child's first and most important teacher. Children develop strong speech and language skills through interactions with caring, loving, and attentive parents and caregivers starting at birth.
Research shows that simple changes in how you talk, read, and play with your child can help develop speech and language skills. Watch this great video by The Hanen Centre: You are the key to your child's first words.
This information is adapted, with permission, from Toronto Public Health.
These strategies can be downloaded as printable handouts by educators through our Educator Portal. Please e-mail our Speech and Language program to receive the login information for this portal.
Face to face |
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Being face to face helps your child:
Being face to face helps you:
How do I get face to face?
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Follow your child's lead |
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![]() Why follow your child's lead?
How to follow your child's lead:
When not to follow your child's lead:
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Join in and play |
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By joining in and playing together, you create many opportunities for your child to learn more language and to practice talking with you.
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Use simple language |
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![]() Use short sentences when talking to your child (i.e., one to three words at most). Always stay one step above your child's current level of communication. For example, you offer your child water, and instead of asking "do you want to have a glass of water?", try one of the following:
This strategy can be used to help your child understand what you say. Using short phrases helps your child to pick out the important words from the sentence. If your child already has a good understanding of language, using short sentences will make it easier for your child to copy what you are saying. |
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Labelling |
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![]() Labelling (or naming) is a way for your to help your child learn new words. Labelling is useful because it:
Here are some suggestions for things to talk about:
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Repeat important words |
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![]() Repeat important words several times in many different situations. For example:
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Waiting |
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Give a reason to communicate and wait |
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![]() These strategies remove the ability to only answer "yes" or "no" and encourages your child to use the specific name of the object. The strategies also provide a chance for your child to comment or react. Offer desired objects bit by bit:
Offer a choice:
Create a silly or unusual situation:
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Comment rather than asking questions |
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![]() We often ask too many questions and this stops conversation instead of keeping it going. Try to:
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Turn taking |
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![]() Turn taking is an important skill for your child to learn. At first, children learn to take turns in play. Later, children understand how to take turns "talking" in interactions. Turn taking helps increase a child's attention span and promotes eye contact. Take turns by:
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Say what you think your child means |
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![]() If your child does not use words, or you don't understand what was said, say it as your child would if he or she could. Give your child a good, clear model of how the words should sound, without calling attention to the error. For example:
Give your child the words for sounds or gestures that he or she uses. For example:
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Sharing a book |
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![]() When sharing a book:
Some suggestions when reading a book:
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Daily routines |
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![]() Take advantage of daily routines and add language. This is a good opportunity to:
Set up: label the routine (e.g., getting dressed). Mark each step, for example, "shirt on", "pants on", or "socks on":
Other examples of daily routines:
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Imitate and add |
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![]() Imitation will motivate and encourage your child to interact with you. Imitation shows your child that you are interested in what he or she is doing, and also encourages him or her to imitate you back. Some suggestions for imitating your child are:
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Find many short videos and e-learning modules to learn fun talking and reading tips.
Communicating with babies |
In the first year of life, babies learn from watching your face and listening to your voice. The more you talk, sing, play, and read with them, the more sounds and words they will learn. Tips for helping your baby develop speech and language skills:
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Toddlers |
Young children develop speech, language, and literacy skills through fun and caring interactions with adults and caregivers. Learning to talk can be a frustrating time for toddlers as they move from using gestures, like pointing, to sounds and words. Try to wait patiently when toddlers try saying new words, sounds, or gestures to communicate their message. Tips for helping your toddler develop speech and language skills:
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Preschoolers |
When children are between three and five years of age, they go through tremendous growth and change in their speech and language skills. They learn about the world around them and how to communicate with adults and other children.
Tips for helping your preschooler develop speech and language skills:
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Limit screen time with all children and avoid the use of screen time with very young children. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that children under two years of age have no screen time exposure to televisions, tablets, and smart phones. Children develop speech and language skills best through direct interactions with caring, loving, and attentive parents and caregivers.
If you have identified other developmental concerns, the SmartStart Hub can help you with next steps.
Call 613-544-3400, ext. 2078 or visit SmartStart Hub - KidsInclusive for more information.
To make a referral to Early Expressions Preschool Speech and Language program, complete our online referral form.
If you are unsure if a referral is needed, please review Communication Milestones for your child's age.
Referrals can also be made by phone at 613-546-3854 or 1-800-267-7875 ext. 1105.