Baby Talk 2

When Baby's First Little Words Become Sentences

It’s been a year or so since your little one uttered those first little words. Now, you can’t imagine a time when that mouth wasn’t running at full capacity - All. Day. Long. Take comfort in the fact that the more words your child can say and string together in sentences, the less frustration and tears will be involved when trying to communicate.

Helping your budding orator

To help your child get a better handle on making short sentences that get the point across, try these tips:

• Don’t interrupt or finish your child’s sentences. This typically ends in frustration for the child and may discourage speaking in sentences.
• Include your child in conversations when you can, both one-on-one and group chats with friends and family.
• Ask open-ended questions - not “yes” or “no” questions - those that require at least a couple of words to answer, and listen to your child’s responses.
• Respond to your child’s words with more words, even if they aren’t directed at you (or anyone) to encourage more back-and-forth communication.
• Most importantly, talk to your child about what you’re doing, plans for the day, the weather—anything, really!