It’s exciting when your toddler starts to say their first few words. As a parent, you feel proud, sad and joyful all at the same time. But soon it becomes clear that the child has a long way to go before they speak the language well. 

Although this process of language learning can’t be rushed, there are things that you can do to help your toddler learn to articulate himself or herself. You can use more complicated systems like holistic learning materials or you can stick to simple techniques. Here are a few easy ways to help your child learn language for the first time. 

Get Them Moving

Kids love to run and bounce around, so use this ceaseless activity to your advantage. Have them name things as they dance or run around the house. Play interactive game that involve movement and speaking. Let them have fun!

Baby Steps 

Much as you would like your toddler to be speaking in full sentences by age two, chances are that they won’t progress as fast as you would like. Don’t worry! This doesn’t mean they aren’t bright. But language learning takes time and practice, and your child needs to go at their own pace in order to learn most effectively. Be satisfied with starting small.

Give Things Names

Children can’t learn to speak if they don’t know what something is called. Point things out to your child and name those things, asking the child to repeat after you. Repeat this with the same objects at intervals, as your toddler probably won’t remember after just one try. Make sure that they know what to call the familiar things around them.

Sing and Read 

There are few things which teach language better than music and books. Sing your child nursery rhymes and have them sing along with you. Don’t skip bedtime stories. Make sure that they are being presented with material that is engaging and informative, but still within their level of comprehension. Again, have fun with it! They should want to learn to speak.

Just Talk

Above all, surround your child with language. Tell them what you’re doing as you move around the house, naming different objects and actions. Let them watch you converse with others and see how language works. Make them be silent sometimes so that they can listen and learn.

If you engage your child with language regularly in a constructive way, then learning to speak will be relatively easy and fun for them and for you. Remember not to expect too much of them and to let them learn through experience, and they will speak well and beautifully in time.