Tips to Get Your Toddler Talking – From a Mom of 3
Love these toddler speech tips? 📌 Pin this to your parenting board and save it for later! You’ll thank yourself when those first clear words come – and other parents might thank you too! 😉
From birth, your baby starts practicing communication—initially through cries and coos, then little babbles.
As the years go by, they begin to copy sounds and words around them until finally, on that magical day, they say “Mama” or “Dada” (Insert happy tears and proud mom moments!) While most babies say their first words at 12 months , every child develops at their own pace.
If you’d like to support your baby’s speech without being intrusive, this is what has worked for me with my three babies.
Read to Them Daily
Books are everything when it comes to language, memory, and imagination building. Select vibrant, colorful books with simple-to-grasp pictures—or even sound buttons—to grab their attention.
A daily short storytime not only teaches them words but also creates the snuggliest bonding moments. (Pro tip: Use an exaggerated tone and point at pictures to make it more thrilling!)
Encourage Your Child to Socialize and Be Friends
My first daughter, Loujain, was a bit behind in terms of speaking.
She was an active, happy toddler who could comprehend everything that we said—but couldn’t speak at all.
I worried about her and thought that something must be wrong with her. After seeing a specialist, the doctor assured me that she was entirely healthy.
Then he asked me two critical questions: “Does she have siblings?” (Yes, a 9-month-old brother.) “Does she have friends her age?” (No—she was home with me all day.) That’s when he informed me: Kids learn language from other kids! When playing together, they use language without fear of doing it wrong, without adults monitoring their pronunciation.
Friends won’t judge their baby talk; they’ll just respond.
So I encouraged Loujain to make little friends.
In no time, she was giggling with playmates, and her baby brother (now babbling along) was her little language friend. Within months? My old quiet girl was chatting away— and my heart overflowed with pride hearing her find her voice.“.
Sing Nursery Rhymes & Songs
Music is a hidden trick! Singing simple rhymes or humorous songs encourages babies to imitate sounds , even if they don’t understand the words yet. Before you know it, they’ll be humming or singing their own adorable versions. (Bonus: It’s a great diversion during diaper changes!)
Teach Them a Little Every Day
Repetition is the key! Commentate your day like a mini-commentator: “Mommy’s cutting the apple!” or “Let’s put on your blue socks!” Speaking slowly and clearly helps them learn words naturally. And yes, you will sound silly explaining laundry to a baby—but it works!
Let Them “Talk” (Even Gibberish!)
Don’t fill in their words! When they babble, stop, look them in the eye, and reply as if in a real conversation.
This establishes confidence and tells them that what they say matters. When they mispronounce something (like “wawa” instead of water), just show the correct word easily in your response: “Yes, here’s your water!”
Don’t Baby Talk – Speak Simply
Ditch the “goo-goo ga-ga” and address them as a pint-sized adult. Rather than “Baba for sleep?” use “Time for your bottle, then bedtime!” They’ll learn good words faster—also, it’s cute when a toddler speaks “Actually, Mommy…” like a little professor.
Last Mom Advice
Don’t stress if your friend’s baby talks earlier—comparison is the thief of joy! Some kids chat nonstop at 18 months; others take until 2+. But if you’re concerned about major delays (no babbling by 12 months, no words by 16 months), check in with your pediatrician. Otherwise, keep it fun, keep talking,
and savor those first sloppy kisses and “I wuv yous.” ????
Did these tips help your toddler start talking? Share your experience in the comments below! 👇 Which trick worked best for your little one? Let’s learn from each other! 💬
