What words should I teach my toddler? Why we need to focus on functional communication.

Functional communication.  What is it and why is it so important when talking toddler language development? Let's start by talking about what it is:  Functional communication is the ability for one to express wants and needs and use language for social interactions.  

So why am I bringing this up?  I've been doing early intervention for MANY years with toddlers with language delays.  In that time, I have met many well intended parents who spend much of their time focusing on teaching their toddler letters, shapes, colors and the like.  My suggestion to these parents:  stop.

Let me share a quick story about a little girl I worked with many years ago.  She was about 2 1/2 and had a language delay.  During one visit, here parents excitedly told me that she was saying her ABC's, naming several colors as well as some shapes adding they have been working on it for several weeks.  While I understood the excitement that their child was saying words, her communication was not functional.  By that I mean, she was not able to tell them that she wanted water, more tickles or wanted to be picked up. The words they were focusing on were not helping her in daily routines and interactions.

Naming letters, shapes and numbers does not help toddlers communicate wants and needs nor does it help the use language for social interactions.  We need to focus instead on teaching toddlers words that will allow them to to do this.

So what kinds of words should you focus on?  I suggest to a variety.  First, you want to focus on words that are of interest to your child.  For example, I had a little boy who lived near the airport.  He always heard the planes and pointed to the sky.  His parents focused on the word 'plane' because it was something he loved.  As a result, it was one of his first words.  

You also want to focus on words that are a meaningful part of your child's daily routine.  For example, if your child like many loves his cup, you want to work on his ability to find it, give it to you and ultimately name it when asked.

Finally, you want to focus on some 'power' words (also referred to as core words).  These words make up a much larger part of our speech than fringe words (nouns, etc.).  I've read that up to 80% of our communication is comprised of these power words.  Examples include more, done, up, go, help, etc.  

I suggest to the families that I work with to create a list of 10-20 words that they would like their child to say.  Specifically, words that would make their lives easier and their child's life easier.  For example, if your child cries or whines when he wants up, targeting that word during interactions.  Or if he LOVES trucks and points furiously at the window while screaming when one drives by, targeting that word during play, story time and while running errands.

By focusing on words in this fashion, your child will be 1) more engaged and interested in learning them and 2) as their understanding of how these words work and they practice using them, they will learn the power of these words.  THAT is where the magic happens.  

So in summary, don't worry about teaching your toddler letters, colors, shapes and numbers -- that is what preschool is for!  Focus instead on words that will allow your child express his wants and needs or to share his interests with you.  Once he figures out that words will make his life easier, their will be no stopping him!

Functional communication.  What is it and why is it so important when talking toddler language development? Let's start by talking about what it is:  Functional communication is the ability for one to express wants and needs and use language for social interactions.  
So why am I bringing this up?  I've been doing early intervention for MANY years with toddlers with language delays.  In that time, I have met many well intended parents who spend much of their time focusing on teaching their toddler letters, shapes, colors and the like.  My suggestion to these parents:  stop.

Let me share a quick story about a little girl I worked with many years ago.  She was about 2 1/2 and had a language delay.  During one visit, here parents excitedly told me that she was saying her ABC's, naming several colors as well as some shapes adding they have been working on it for several weeks.  While I understood the excitement that their child was saying words, her communication was not functional.  By that I mean, she was not able to tell them that she wanted water, more tickles or wanted to be picked up. The words they were focusing on were not helping her in daily routines and interactions.

Naming letters, shapes and numbers does not help toddlers communicate wants and needs nor does it help the use language for social interactions.  We need to focus instead on teaching toddlers words that will allow them to to do this.

So what kinds of words should you focus on?  I suggest to a variety.  First, you want to focus on words that are of interest to your child.  For example, I had a little boy who lived near the airport.  He always heard the planes and pointed to the sky.  His parents focused on the word 'plane' because it was something he loved.  As a result, it was one of his first words.  

You also want to focus on words that are a meaningful part of your child's daily routine.  For example, if your child like many loves his cup, you want to work on his ability to find it, give it to you and ultimately name it when asked.

Finally, you want to focus on some 'power' words (also referred to as core words).  These words make up a much larger part of our speech than fringe words (nouns, etc.).  I've read that up to 80% of our communication is comprised of these power words.  Examples include more, done, up, go, help, etc.  

I suggest to the families that I work with to create a list of 10-20 words that they would like their child to say.  Specifically, words that would make their lives easier and their child's life easier.  For example, if your child cries or whines when he wants up, targeting that word during interactions.  Or if he LOVES trucks and points furiously at the window while screaming when one drives by, targeting that word during play, story time and while running errands.

By focusing on words in this fashion, your child will be 1) more engaged and interested in learning them and 2) as their understanding of how these words work and they practice using them, they will learn the power of these words.  THAT is where the magic happens.  

So in summary, don't worry about teaching your toddler letters, colors, shapes and numbers -- that is what preschool is for!  Focus instead on words that will allow your child express his wants and needs or to share his interests with you.  Once he figures out that words will make his life easier, their will be no stopping him!

Are you worried about your child's speech?  If so, I've got you covered!  Doors are open to my How to Get Your Toddler Talking Program where I share ALL the things that parents need to know and do to get their toddlers moving from gestures to words to sentences.  Sign up here!

 #toddlerspeechdelay #toddlerspeech#speechdelay #earlyintervention #speechtherapy #thementormom #parentingtips #toddler #toddlers

#toddlerspeech #toddlerspeechdelay #speechdelay #earlyintervention #speechtherapy #thementormom #parentingtips #toddler #toddlers