When children have trouble talking, it can be challenging for them to have conversations with you and others. They might:

• search for words (um, um…)
• use non-specific words like “thing” or “stuff”
• use only a few words instead of the same variety of words other children their age use
• struggle to describe steps in a simple activity
• have trouble telling stories that make sense

There are many ways you can help your child practise talking and having conversations.

Find the right topics

Talking about things your child likes and is excited about can help them with conversation. Think about what interests your child, and ask them about their opinions. For example:

• “Which super power would you rather have for a day—being invisible or having x-ray vision? Why?”
• “Are there any vegetables you think should be banned from your table forever?”

For more ideas, see 50 conversation starters for you and your child.

Encourage all communication

We all use facial expressions, gestures, words, and sentences when we communicate. If your child gets stuck on a word or idea, tell them it’s OK to:

• point to the object
• act out what they are trying to say
• draw the word
• take you to what they are talking about or give other hints

Keep the conversation going

Conversation goes back and forth, like a game of tennis. Take turns commenting or asking questions. If your child speaks, respond and allow them to respond to you.

When your child tells you something, respond and ask them to tell you more. For example, if your child says, ”I don’t like Brussels sprouts! They taste yucky!” You could say, “You really don’t like Brussels sprouts! What’s your favourite vegetable?”

It’s OK if your child moves the conversation to a new topic as they practise talking. You can always come back to the first topic if you didn’t finish it.

Add to what your child tells you

When your child talks to you, add what they say. This helps them learn new words and sentence structures. You can:

• Repeat what your child says and add a word. For example, if your child says, “Look! The bunny’s eating a carrot!” you could say, “Yes. That bunny’s eating a crunchy carrot.”
• Make a new sentence using your child’s words. For example, “Look! The carrot the bunny is eating is almost gone.”
• Add new words that mean the same thing. “Yes. The rabbit is eating a carrot!”

Ask for more if you don’t understand

• Ask them to repeat, “Can you say that again?”
• Give choices, “Did you say a train? Or a plane?
• Ask simple questions that will help you figure out what your child is trying to tell you. “Where were you? Was it when grandma was here?”
• Encourage your child to show you using gestures like pointing.

Take your time

• Pause and wait when you ask a question.
• Give your child a chance to think about they want to say.
• Be patient.

Where to go get help

To learn how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help with speech, language, and hearing concerns, contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit Pediatric Rehabilitation.​​​