Speech and language therapist Sinead Campbell has some great advice on ways to interact with your 12-18 month olds in a way that helps with their language learning.
Watch the video below for some simple, fun tips to build into your everyday life with the little one.
Speech and language tips for 12-18 months
Try playing 'ready, steady, go' games with your little one to help build their anticipation skills. For example, you could blow bubbles with your baby and build suspense by saying 'ready… steady' and then waiting for your child to respond with a word, sound or gesture before saying 'go' and blowing. This helps them learn to take turns and focuses their attention.
If they try to say a word, repeat the word back to them correctly to show you're listening and to let them hear the word said right.
Copy their actions and sounds. This will show them that their actions and sounds are important and build their confidence to make more noises and movements. This is the first step in your child learning the turn taking of conversations with you.
Try to build learning into your everyday routines. For example, use action words like 'wash' and 'splash' as you do the washing up with baby at home. Repeat them over and over so they learn the sound.
During your day, point at and name the things your child looks at. This way, they'll start to connect what they hear with what they see.
Use outings to new places like the supermarket as opportunities to teach new words. You could name the items you pick up and show to baby as you put them in the trolley.
