Talking, exploring and playing with your child will help their speech, language and communication skills.
Watch videos from the HSE on helping your child’s communication
Talk to your child regularly
Talk to your child about everyday activities and routines. For example, “after we visit Granny, we will go to the shops”.
Use short, clear sentences. This will help your child understand.
Watch out for signs your child does not know the words to use. They might use words such as “that”, “it” or “thing” instead. Teach them the word that they need. For example, “oh the remote. I need the remote to turn off the TV”.
Spend time with them
Put aside 5 to 10 minutes each day of special time with your child.
Use this time to play. Follow their lead in what they want to play. This is a great way to become familiar with their language skills.
Limit background noise
Turn off the TV or radio when you're playing or talking with your child.
Too much background noise is difficult for young children to filter out. When it is quiet, it is easier for them to focus on your words.
Build on their language
Help your child to use longer sentences by building on the words and sentences they use.
Repeat their words and add some more. If your child says “look at the tiger”, respond “look at the stripy tiger. I wonder what he likes to eat.”
Watch a video on building on your toddler’s sounds and words
Use comments, not questions
Show interest in what your child is doing by making comments. Do this instead of asking questions. Comments encourage longer answers.
For example, instead of asking “Did you go swimming”, you could comment “you went to the swimming pool with your Granny. I wonder what happened at the swimming pool!”
Speech or sound errors
It is normal for young children to make errors with their sounds.
You can help by showing them the correct sound when you chat with them. This is called recasting.
Repeat your child’s words with the correct sounds when they make speech sound errors.
Grammar errors
Young children often make mistakes with grammar. This is normal.
Use your comments to model correct grammar for your child. For example, if your child says, “the boy falled off the wall”, you could respond “yeah the boy fell off the wall. He fell onto the grass.”
Give instruction using their name
Say your child’s name and wait for them to look at you before giving them an instruction.
This encourages them to listen and tune to what you are saying. It gives them a much better chance of understanding all of your words. For example, “Sean, get your shoes and a hat!”
Stay calm
Young children experience lots of big emotions and will need your help to manage them. Stay calm when they are challenging.
Using a calm voice and slow pace will help them become calm faster. Use simple words and sentences to describe their feelings. This will help them to gradually understand and talk about their feelings.
Name your own emotions so that they become familiar with the words used to name them. It also shows your child that adults feel a range of emotions too.
For example, “I was a little annoyed when I spilled my glass of water…but I know it is not a big deal, so I cleaned it up. Now, I feel ok.”
Activities to try
Ideas to help your toddler's communication include:
Watch a video with tips for children who find talking difficult in some situations
Limit screen time
Screens can be smartphones, gaming devices, tablets, computers and televisions. Try to limit screen time.
Watching too much on screens at an early age can have a negative impact on language development, physical development and sleep.
If you do give your child some screen time, it’s best to show them something that involves interaction with your child. For example, chatting about a spot-the-difference game on a tablet or talking about a show together.
Screen time and young children
Watch a video on how to make the most of screen-time with your child
Soothers
It is up to you to decide when is the right time for your child to stop using a soother. But long term use of a soother can lead to difficulties with your child’s teeth and speech development.
Around age 2 is a good time to wean them off their soother, if they are still using one. It is generally best to take a gradual approach.
Give them something to replace the soother, such as a nightlight, teddy, or blanket.
If your child is repeating sounds or words
It is very common to hear young children repeating sounds in words or whole words such as “m m m m mammy can I have juice” or “I I I I I I want that”.
Your child is learning so much language at this age. It can take time for them to be able to use their new words in sentences without pausing and repeating some words.
To help them you can:
- show interest in what they have said and not how they have said it
- wait for them to finish their sentence, even if it takes a little longer than expected
- speak slowly, ask fewer questions and use more comments
- play with them and give them your complete attention, with no interruptions
- keep eye contact and let them know that they have lots of time to finish
- reduce distractions, for example turn off the TV and radio and put down your phone
- tell them it is OK to be upset or annoyed if your child has these emotions
Helping a child who stammers (Video)
Speak your native language
Talk to your child in the language you are most comfortable with.
This will
- support their understanding and talking
- give them the skills to learn other languages more easily, including. English
You and your partner may use different languages at home. But children can adapt to different languages quickly.