HOW TO TALK TO MY TODDLER

 HOW TO TALK TO MY TODDLER

Toddlers are just beginning to learn language.  They may use gestures and sounds to get their message across.  As they grow, they begin to use two word sentences.  They express both positive and negative emotional expressions and body movements.  "No" is often a favorite word for toddlers.

How you communicate with your toddler will have an impact on how they develop a healthy self-esteem.

TODDLERS 12 TO 36 MONTHS

Here are ways you encourage communication with your toddler:

1.  Keep a word diary of new words your toddler has learned.  Use those words often in conversation.  Share those words with other adults in the child's life (child care providers, grandparents)

2.  Respond quickly to your toddler's communication efforts. For example:  Say, "You are pointing at your blanket, do you want it?" "Bah-bah, that means you want your blanket, doesn't it?"

3.  Expand on your toddler's one and two word communication and build sentences around words. For Example:  Toddler says, "Hot!"  You respond, "Hot, that's right the pizza is hot."  Toddler says, "More."  You respond "Ok I'll get you more milk."

4.  Give your toddler one direction at a time. For example:   Instead of saying, "Pick up the toys, and get your shoes and coat on.  We need to go to the store."  Say, "We need to go to the store, please pick up your toys."  After the child has picked up his toys, then you can ask him to get his shoes on and then his coat.

5.  Give your toddler warnings before transitions.  For example:  Say, "We are going to have dinner in five minutes".  In five minutes say, "ok, time to wash your hands for dinner.  Please come over to the sink."

6.  Your toddler is experiencing many new emotions. Label his emotions when you talk to him.  For example:  "I know you feel sad because your block tower fell over."  "Going outside to play really makes you happy."

7.  Talk about daily routines helping your toddler to learn sequencing as they happen.  For example:  First we get our toothbrushes and then I will put some toothpaste on it.  Now I need you to brush your back teeth,  brush them really well,  Now you brush your front teeth, that's right up and down.  Now you rinse your toothbrush off and put it in the holder."

8.  Let your toddler lead in free play.  Let them create their own games.  Talk to your toddler and describe what he is doing.  For example:  Oh, you are driving your car on the sofa, oh no, it is falling on the floor!  Here comes the tow truck to take it to the garage."

9.  When telling older toddlers what you want, give them an explanation of why you want it.  For example:  Say, "Please pick up your blocks and put them away, I don't want anyone tripping over them."

Using these tips for communicating with your toddler, will help your toddler develop the skills to communicate with others.