Written by: Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, Founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center
Originally Published: June 18, 2019 | Updated: August 31, 2026
Are you concerned about your child’s speech development, or wondering how your everyday interactions might be shaping their language skills? We often hear from parents of 16-24 month-olds asking exactly this. Here are three simple, research-backed techniques you can start using today to expand your toddler’s language.
1. The “One Up” Language Style (Expand)
Model language for your child by adding just one thing to what they say. This exposes them to language one small step above their current level, without overwhelming them.
- Add an adjective: Child says “Ball,” you could say “Small ball,” “Round ball,” “Red ball,” or “Three balls.”
- Use a synonym or antonym: Child says “Small ball,” you could say “Yes, the ball is tiny,” or “It’s not big.”
- Add an action word: Child says “Train,” you could say “Go train” or “Fast train.”
(Examples adapted from MrsSpeechieP.) This technique, often called expansion, is a widely used and well-supported strategy among speech-language pathologists for building vocabulary and sentence structure.
2. Verbal Routines to Expand Your Toddler’s Language
Practicing the same verbal routine over and over gives your child predictable practice with just a few words. Eventually, you can pause before the last word in the sequence and let your child fill in the blank, encouraging spontaneous talking.
- Bubbles or ball play: Say “Ready, set…” and wait. Over time, your child will learn to jump in with “Go!” Repeat often. “One, two…” works the same way.
- Music: Choose a repetitive song and use the same pause-and-wait approach. “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and (Toes)” is a great one to try.
- Books: Repetitive books let kids predict what’s coming next, which naturally invites them to fill in words themselves. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is a favorite for exactly this reason.
3. Limit Questions
It’s easy to ask a lot of questions during play, but doing so can actually limit your child’s chance to use spontaneous language. Try making 3-4 statements before asking a question.
When playing with baby dolls, instead of asking “Do you want to be the baby?” try:
- “I’m the mommy!”
- “Put the diaper on baby.”
- “Baby is hungry.”
Leading with statements gives your child language to borrow from and more room to jump in on their own.
How Much Should My Toddler Be Talking?
If you’re reading this wondering whether your child’s language skills are on track, you’re not alone. Our checklists for how much your two-year-old and three-year-old should be talking outline some key skills kids typically demonstrate by each age (you can find checklists for other ages in our early intervention resource guide too). These lists aren’t exhaustive, and if your child isn’t hitting every single skill exactly on time, that doesn’t automatically mean there’s a delay. That said, if you have a language concern, it’s worth considering an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention makes a real difference.
Is It Too Early for Speech Therapy?
Never. We wish more parents knew that it’s never too early to ask questions or seek a screening. A parent’s intuition is usually right. If you have any concerns about your child’s language development, contact our office for a free screening, we offer them across all of our services, including speech, reading, language, writing, math, and dyslexia. You can also check out more tips on talking to your baby for additional ideas.
According to the Hanen Centre, expanding your child’s message every time they communicate is one of the most effective ways you can support their language growth, and it’s something you can start weaving into everyday moments right away.
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