What I'd Tell You If I Couldn't Be There: Simple Tips to Help Your Child Speak
What I'd Tell You If I Couldn't Be There: Simple Tips to Help Your Child Speak
As a speech-language pathologist, my heart is always with the families I serve—whether I’m in the room or not. Sometimes a family lives far away or is waiting for services to start. So, if I couldn’t be there to support your child in person, here’s what I’d want you to know:
1. You Matter Most
You are your child’s best teacher. You know their quirks, their joys, their routines. The little moments—diaper changes, snack time, walks outside—are full of language opportunities. You don’t need fancy toys or flashcards. You just need presence.
2. Follow Their Lead
Notice what your child is interested in. Are they staring at a truck? Banging a spoon? Chasing bubbles? That’s your window. Get down at their level, join in, and talk about that thing. When a child is motivated, their brain is primed to learn. Play accesses the ventral vagus nerve, allowing feelings of safety and connection. This builds the foundation for your child to play and explore.
3. Slow Down and Pause
Sometimes we talk too fast or do too much for our kids. Try slowing down your speech and pausing after you say something. That pause gives your child a chance to take a turn—whether it’s a word, a gesture, or even a sound. Conversation is a turn-taking activity!
4. Using Appropriate Models
We want to be attuned to where your child is at this time. I will emphasize working one-level above where your child is producing. For example, if your child is still using gestures to communicate, model individual words. If they are using individual words, model two-word combinations! This concept is well supported by the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and principles of responsive interaction. It is also important to make your models meaningful (looking at number 2!).
5. Model Without Pressure
Instead of saying “Say ___,” try repeating what your child might say in the routine or activity. This removes pressure and keeps communication joyful. If they say nothing, that’s okay.
6. Animal Sounds are Exercises!
Animal sounds like “moo” or “baa,” and fun environmental sounds like “vroom” or “beep beep!” aren’t just silly fun—they play an important role in your child’s speech development. These playful sounds help your child practice important oral motor movements like lip rounding, tongue movement, and breath control, all of which are building blocks for clear speech. Because they’re fun and easy to imitate, these sounds create a low-pressure way for children to explore their voice and build confidence with early communication skills.
7. Provide Options
Do you want ___?”, which only invites a yes or no answer, try offering two choices—like “apple or banana?” This gives your child a chance to label items and practice making decisions. Offering choices like this not only encourages vocabulary growth but also increases the chances they’ll imitate your words during the interaction.
8. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Children need to hear words a lot before they say them. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself a hundred times. You might feel silly saying “ball!” over and over, but to your child, it’s gold. Some therapists even have a rule of thumb to say a word or phrase 3 times to support that exposure.
9. Celebrate ALL Communication
Words are great, but so are pointing, gestures, signs, sounds, and eye contact. If your child pulls your hand toward the fridge, it’s an attempt! Respond like it’s communication (because it is!).
Over time, your child learns: When I do something, you respond. That’s the foundation of speech.
Final Thoughts
If I couldn't be there for therapy, I’d still believe in your ability to help your child thrive. You are already doing so much just by showing up, by playing, by loving. Keep going. Keep connecting. And if/when we do get to work together, we’ll build on the beautiful foundation you’ve started.
