Many toddlers understand language, of course, but how to get them to speak?

You need to talk to toddlers. Don’t talk to them in “baby language,” but just talk to them in ordinary sentences, using the vocabulary that toddlers should understand.

Ask toddler’s questions. Sometimes they answer you, sometimes they don’t.

Listen for toddlers to speak. If toddler’s speak, then try to engage them in conversation. “Listen, reply, and give the toddler the opportunity to speak again,” is a suggestion from Partnership for Learning. Their article on “how to get your toddler talking” is available at:

www.partnershipforlearning.org/article.asp?ArticleID=1545

Among the suggestions is the use of labels to encourage your toddler to recognize written language.

Read to toddlers, books for toddlers. You can also read from books for older children. But this should be language that toddlers understand. Point out some of the words as you read. You can ask toddlers to repeat some of the words, and/or even some of the sentences.

If you know other toddlers who know how to speak and who speak, you might have a party for toddlers in which you invite some of these toddlers to the party. Witness how your toddler behaves when these other toddlers try to engage your toddler in conversation.

Most toddlers are going to speak when they want something.

Have videos and films and tapes that toddlers can watch and listen to. You can buy DVDs to help toddlers with speech and language at Baby Bumblebee.

Sing to your toddler. There are many songs for toddlers, many with nursery rhyme lyrics. These help to teach toddler language. Encourage toddlers to sing along with you.

There are toddler’s games that make use of language. Learn and play these toddler’s games.

Show your toddler photographs, drawings, and pictures and encourage your child to speak.

Call the names of objects, such as books and toys, so that the toddler associates objects with specific names.

Show toddlers different shapes, colors, and different types of objects and name these shapes, colors, and different types of objects.

Let toddlers listen to music and the rhythms of music.

Say the names of foods and/or encourage toddlers to say the names of foods.

Learn how toddlers think and the connection between thought and speech.

Continue to read to your toddler and speak to them in language that your toddler understands.

Read books and articles on how to get toddlers to speak. Take notes. Try some of these suggestions. Make use of the suggestions that work.

Also, you must monitor what your toddlers says, and the speech that is appropriate. You must have a method of making it clear that some words which a toddler might have heard are not appropriate. For example, you might gently tap your toddler on the wrist and say, No, no, don’t say that.

Make sure the language that others use in front of your toddler is appropriate language. Note that toddlers, even though they don’t say anything, are listening and learning from all speakers.

If your toddler refuses to speak and you think their is a problem, such as “autism,” then you might have your toddler when the toddler is older, tested for autism.

Otherwise, allow your toddler to speak when you toddler is ready to speak.