https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:17:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182530 Tue, 19 May 2015 05:34:00 +0000 daniellemybelle 2182530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: Ohh, okay. That makes sense. Glad you were able to identify his needs and get him the support he needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182225 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:38:23 +0000 jaguar 2182225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: That is fantastic! I'm using some of my teaching resources and flash cards in a similar way, but the box itself is pretty cool. I think she'd find that fun. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182221 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:35:43 +0000 jaguar 2182221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys, I knew you'd be the brains collective on this one.</p> <p>Private speech therapy is unfortunately not free here (or cheap!) which is why we aren't jumping straight into it at the moment &amp; are looking for 'in the meantime' strategies I can work with her on.</p> <p>She's flagged up as the expressive language being under levelled for her age - but it's not severe enough, or paired with any hearing deficits, to warrant urgent GP referrals or recommendations (apart from going on the public system wait list down here). So I'm torn between feeling like a hypochondriac and worrying over nothing, vs. wanting to do as much as I can early to help her! </p> <p>We're looking at around $100 a session, and since the public system wait list is insane right now, I'm definitely hoping to keep her busy and active with some of those ideas above, at least until our credit card bills settle down from this current IVF cycle!! </p> <p>@brownie: When G sings, she jarbles most words but knows the tune, and the last few words. So it'd go 'blah blah blah blah little star, blah blah blah blah ARE, uh uh blah blah blah HIGH, blah blah dii blah blah SKY.' (If that makes ANY sense.) Good to have something to look for with syllables though, so thank you for sharing your experience.</p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: Thanks chick. We've had a basic session, had to hearing checked as per those recommendations, so the next step is a formal assessment on speech - which is what we're looking at doing in the next little while. :)</p> <p>@Cherrybee: I love that idea! She currently knows last words, but I like the idea of dropping and expanding. Thanks.</p> <p>@Raindrop: That's the frustrating part, I think. Not sure if it's me, or if it's warranted! Good to hear my worries aren't alone though. :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Oatmeal: It does help - thanks! The biggest thing I picked up from our screener was to just expand in small doses. She's not going to go from single-two word combinations to expressive sentences overnight, so I need to work on my modelling to bridge those gaps. Thank you for the tips!</p> <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I'd say a lot of ours is from reading as well, so that's good to know. Hoping to do some different tips and tricks with her while I'm at home with her, and keep it happening through out the day too.</p> <p>Really appreciate all the suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182182 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:49:06 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2182182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My youngest is 20 months and has maaaaaybe 5 garbled words. He's in early intervention, we're trying this speech box game but his attention span is pretty short! </p> <p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&#038;source=web&#038;rct=j&#038;ei=6mtaVb75HKbLsASVp4HwDg&#038;url=http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/SpeechPracticeinaBox.pdf&#038;ved=0CDoQFjAI&#038;usg=AFQjCNHwnOA4mmH6oxO9NqsyJujOeThHtg&#038;sig2=hYwrlBXN7eQ4ttn4bOHKdw" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&#038;source=web&#038;rct=j&#038;ei=6mtaVb75HKbLsASVp4HwDg&#038;url=http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/SpeechPracticeinaBox.pdf&#038;ved=0CDoQFjAI&#038;usg=AFQjCNHwnOA4mmH6oxO9NqsyJujOeThHtg&#038;sig2=hYwrlBXN7eQ4ttn4bOHKdw</a></p> <p>His OT wants us to focus on sounds he makes at the front of his mouth (mmmm, puh puh, buh buh, boom, moo, etc) so we have toys in the box to represent those sounds. This description is probably nonsensical, sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182157 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:18:48 +0000 brownie 2182157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: He is 4 now, so the parts of speech have been the last few months. His sentence structure still sounds like a 2 year old with a lot more big words. The twinkle twinkle was at 3 years old example. At 18 months he was dropping ALL last syllables. So dog was dah etc. one or two words he said the whole word but most were dropped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182128 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:36:47 +0000 Cherrybee 2182128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Yes!! My LO is 22 months and only says "staaaaaaar..... hiiiiigh...... sky.....aaaaare" but I think she's soooooo advanced!! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182125 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:33:26 +0000 daniellemybelle 2182125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: Did your LO need to learn parts of speech at 18 months? My LO is 19 months and just now saying "I jump," etc! </p> <p>And his version of Twinkle Twinkle sounds great to me - I have been impressed with my 19 month old singing, "How I wonder what you are," even though it is garbled. Or do you mean he didn't make the sing song voice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182090 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:00:20 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2182090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're already incorporating reading, singing, talking (A LOT!) to/with her, poems/rhymes, etc... I second the posters who are encouraging early intervention. Even if it's not necessary, if you're concerned, that's enough for me to say try it out and see what they say. The earlier the better. I don't know what the resources are where you live but I know in the US it's definitely important to go before age three to get full advantage of resources. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2182057 Mon, 18 May 2015 15:36:47 +0000 iluvboba637 2182057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 26 months and only strings 2 words together sometimes too but my pedi wasn't concerned either. He has nearly 200 words though and his speech really exploded when he turned 2. I admit I was really worried before he turned 2 but once his speech exploded I feel a bit better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181965 Mon, 18 May 2015 14:28:38 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2181965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@stargal: second early intervention! It has been absolutely amazing for my son. I can't say enough about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181961 Mon, 18 May 2015 14:23:47 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2181961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd also recommend getting a speech evaluation right now. The worst that could happen is they will start services and she'll phase out quickly. Speech is really, really important (for social, emotional, and academic development) and intervening sooner is nearly always the best bet. Plus, I'm sure the professionals will have a ton of recommendations for activities at home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181955 Mon, 18 May 2015 14:15:31 +0000 stargal 2181955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly i would look into early intervention, i had concerns.when my son was 18 months and his dr.brushed then off and then st 2 i called and got him an evaluation and.he has been receiving services. It has helped SO much and he loves.it! After almost a year.he is caught.up to kids.his age (i still feel like he could benefit frpm the.program more thpugh) Honestly it doesnt hurt.to get her tested, the speech therapist can give u amazing tips taylored to her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181913 Mon, 18 May 2015 13:51:12 +0000 Cherrybee 2181913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We play a little game where we read her favourite rhyming books but miss out the last word of each line and she fills it in. We do it with songs too. Then after a few weeks of that we drop the last two words etc. E has picked up so much that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181625 Mon, 18 May 2015 10:10:22 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2181625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if it's available to you, speech therapy can only help. LO was a little slow developing in his expressive language, and right when we were going to start speech therapy, he had a language explosion and started stringing things together. He's still a little hard to understand now, but he's speaking in full sentences. But at 26 months, he could string 2 words together, but not frequently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181623 Mon, 18 May 2015 10:07:35 +0000 Raindrop 2181623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read any one else's comments. </p> <p>I just thought I would say we were worried about this too!!</p> <p>His doctor was never worried about it... everything I read and people in general seem to tell me he was behind.</p> <p>I honesty didn't do anything other than talk and read to him which is what I would have done anyways.. In the back of my mind I thought he would need therapy.</p> <p>Right around LO's 3rd birthday he had a word explosion, he talks so much!</p> <p>I guess I'm saying if your doctor doesn't seem concerned maybe it's not something to be worried about? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181619 Mon, 18 May 2015 10:00:34 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2181619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say we do 90% of our practice before bedtime with reading and talking about our day. Then knowledge solidifies while they sleep. Bonus!</p> <p>Ask pictures about what she sees. Wait time is key. Wait a lot longer than feels comfortable. If I still don't get an answer, Ill prompt with the beginning of a word. Also practice lots of animal sounds. Dylan can say "sss" "sp" "spl" when we orwxtice separately, but splash is "flash." So sometimes we will practice the separate sounds before saying the bigger word.</p> <p>I also agree that therapy is great if it's free and somewhat easy to get to, because then they'll tell/show you everything you need to do and explain exactly what is normal and what needs attention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181400 Mon, 18 May 2015 07:40:14 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2181400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is very behind on expressive language while doing very well with receptive language. I'd definitely recommend just getting speech therapy started right away. Why wait? It can only help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181396 Mon, 18 May 2015 07:34:00 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2181396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jaguar: it's tough to respond not actually having seen/heard her...but the fact that she talks non-stop is encouraging. At that age, about 50% of speech should be understandable to a complete stranger. </p> <p>As far as development goes, rhyming and pattern books are always good (lots of repetition). Practicing naming items is good (ie What is this? A dog? You're right, it's a dog), and expanding on her speech is helpful. So if she points and says 'cat', you can repeat and say 'it's a black cat' or 'the cat is sleeping'. </p> <p>Encouraging her to tell stories, even if the words are mangled, is awesome. You can buy three piece puzzles that are sequence stories (three pictures that all go together in a row), and just encourage her to tell you what is happening. Again, If she says 'balloon', expand on that and say 'The red ballon', or 'the balloon is for a birthday party'.</p> <p>I hope some of that helped! feel free to wall me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181350 Mon, 18 May 2015 07:00:47 +0000 looch 2181350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not sure how it works where you are, but I'd get an evaluation, part of that is you sitting in and seeing the strategies that they use.</p> <p>My son has been in speech therapy for over a year now, and some of the things that he does with the therapist are muscle strengthening activties, like blowing bubbles, bite sticks, button pulls...all things to help the mouth, jaw, tongue get stronger to make the sounds better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181347 Mon, 18 May 2015 06:57:06 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2181347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you do a few sessions with a SLP?<br /> I don't really understand not getting help if it's needed and available to you.<br /> At least to get some tips on how you can help your LO at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181288 Mon, 18 May 2015 03:58:34 +0000 brownie 2181288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has verbal apraxia. I noticed his differences at 18 months. He couldn't sing. He would say "twinkle twinkle star, up world high, like diamon, twinkle twinkle star". His receptive was on age throughout all of this. He had to be taught his articulation and parts of speech (he doesn't say is, am, are). Once we found an apraxia specialist he has been golden.</p> <p>One of our major clues, was that his speech develops randomly. He may he advanced in a few memorized sentences (for example he said water with the r crystal clear but sandbox was saab). </p> <p>If you qualify, you should do speech. She had him do a finger sign for each sound so he has to plan it and think about it before speaking. We really like tiga talk apps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181283 Mon, 18 May 2015 02:25:29 +0000 jaguar 2181283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: She LOVES music! Thing is, she'll know the tune and the flow of the song, but makes up 90% of the words. It's adorable. I feel like she's really only started mimicing in the last few months, so maybe she's just a bit behind - and she did a LOT of gross motor milestones at her own pace too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181280 Mon, 18 May 2015 02:05:56 +0000 lamariniere 2181280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm certainly no expert, but I think reading to children is really important. That way, they hear lots of different vocabulary and intonation. I'm sure you probably already do this, but maybe just engage her in simple conversation about things in her world. And what about music? If everything else is on track as far as receptive language and comprehension, I'm sure her speech will catch up just fine in time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/strategies-for-toddler-speech-development#post-2181273 Mon, 18 May 2015 01:12:09 +0000 jaguar 2181273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>G is 26 months and recently had a mini speech assessment at her daycare which brought up a few concerns with her expressive language - mainly how much is decipherable. She talks non stop and is able to follow commands and understand what we ask of her, but her speech is really hard to understand and certainly not at sentence level yet. The speechie recommended a hearing test, which she passed with flying colours - so it appears to be just a bit of a block when it comes to spoken language.</p> <p>We decided to give her a few months before jumping into intensive speech pathology, but I was wondering if I could pick your brains &amp; ask for some ideas on strategies to encourage speech in a toddler. She has a good amount of single words and what-not, it's more bringing them together and expanding on the basics.</p> <p>Thanks in advance. :) </p>