It may seem like your toddler was born just yesterday, and now they are walking, talking, and exploring the world around them. It’s essential at this stage of your child’s life to encourage communication, exploration, and curiosity.

A child who can communicate effectively is healthy and has a great foundation to build on.

There are many fun ways to encourage your toddler’s speaking skills.

Singing With Your Kids

Singing nursery rhymes and songs with your child is a fun way to introduce them to phonetics and vocabulary. You can even make up your own songs to describe tasks like putting their toys away or learning to use the potty.

Your toddler will develop more speaking skills through song and learn to pick up different sounds of different words. As your child learns to sing songs and remember lyrics, these skills will also help them as they start learning to read later.

Singing also supports your child’s self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and social skills.

Puppets

Playing with puppets allows your child to explore different personalities and imaginations. The interaction with puppets also increases your toddler’s communication and social skills.

Your child will see the puppets as their peers and find it easier to engage socially. Puppets also will hold your youngster’s attention as they explore their creativity and learn to experience other people’s reactions and emotions.

Collaborative Play

Engaging your child in collaborative play will develop their communication skills but will also teach them social and emotional skills. For example, your child will learn about sharing, taking turns, and even friendly competition by playing with others.

Allow your child to invite you to collaborative play, as they will naturally develop leadership skills.

Playing together also requires speaking and listening and is a fun way for your child to create this foundation of effective communication.

You will also bond with your child during collaborative play as your child’s trust will be strengthened along with their confidence and self-esteem in using their imagination for the basis of play.