4 Things Speech Therapists Want You to Know

When a concern like delayed expressive language is identified in your child, it’s only natural that your instincts to help kick into high gear. As a speech-language pathologist, I’ve guided countless families through this process, and I want you to know—you’re not alone. With some easy-to-implement strategies, you can create a language-rich environment that nurtures your child’s expressive language skills.

Here are my “4 Easy Peasy Do’s and Don’ts” to support your child’s language development, starting today!

1. Do Make Comments

Instead of asking questions, make comments throughout the day about what’s happening. Comments are a fantastic way to invite your child into a conversation without putting pressure on them to respond. For example, as you’re cooking, you might say, “I’m chopping carrots for dinner,” or when you’re out for a walk, “Look at the big, fluffy clouds in the sky!” This models language for your child, which is exactly how they learn to understand and eventually use new words. It’s all about exposure—the more rich language you use, the better!

2. Don’t Ask Too Many Questions

It’s tempting to ask your child questions like, “What’s this?” or “What do you want to do now?” But questions can place a heavy language load on your child, which might make communication feel overwhelming. Instead of firing off questions, focus on narrating what you’re doing, and give them space to engage with you naturally.

3. Do Use Forced-Choice Questions

While open-ended questions are a no-go, forced-choice questions are an amazing tool. This type of question gives your child options and makes it easier for them to respond. For instance, ask, “Do you want juice or milk?” or “Do you want to play with blocks or cars?”—offering two choices. Be sure to accept any form of communication in their response, whether it’s a word, sound, or gesture. This approach keeps communication positive, successful, and low-pressure, making it fun for your child to engage.

4. Do Use Wonder Statements

Wonder statements are another gentle way to model language while inviting your child into a conversation. These sound like, “I wonder what we should have for lunch,” or “I wonder if we’ll see a dog on our walk.” There’s no pressure for your child to respond, but these statements open the door for them to join in if they want to. They’re also a great way to model how language works, and over time, your child will absorb these patterns and start using similar phrases.

5. Do Read Nursery Rhymes and Rhyming Books

Let’s not forget the classics! Nursery rhymes and rhyming books (I see you, Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss!) are incredibly helpful for language development. Their repetitive nature helps children pick up on patterns, and over time, your child might even try filling in the blanks if you pause at a familiar part of the rhyme. Repetition is key, so don’t shy away from reading the same book or rhyme over and over.

Conclusion: Simple Steps, Big Impact

When your child is facing a delay in language development, it’s empowering to know that you can help them every day, right at home. Even if your child is receiving therapy, remember that most of their time is spent outside the therapy room. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine—making comments, avoiding too many questions, using forced-choice questions, making wonder statements, and reading nursery rhymes—you’re enriching your child’s language environment and giving them the tools they need to succeed. It may take some practice, but soon, these strategies will become second nature, and you’ll be nurturing your child’s expressive language without even thinking about it. You’ve got this!