Speech and language development in toddlers is a critical milestone - and the good news is, you don’t need flashcards or apps to help your child thrive. Play is one of the most natural and effective ways to support language growth. Through playful interactions, toddlers learn new words, practice sounds, and begin to understand how conversations work.
Here are 10 easy, play-based activities you can do at home to help boost your toddler’s speech and language skills:
Pretend Play with Dolls or Stuffed Animals
Use dolls or stuffed animals to act out simple scenarios like eating, sleeping, or going to the park. Narrate what’s happening: “Teddy is sleepy. He’s going to bed. Goodnight, Teddy!” This helps build vocabulary and teaches basic sentence structures.
Tip: Encourage your toddler to take the lead and tell their own stories, even if it’s mostly babble - they are practicing important conversation skills.
Read Books with Expression
Reading together is powerful, but how you read makes a big difference. Use animated voices, facial expressions, and gestures. Pause to ask questions like, “What’s that?” or “Where’s the dog?”
Tip: Choose books with repetition, rhymes, or flaps to lift - these keep toddlers engaged and prompt speech.
Sing Songs with Actions
Songs like The Wheels on the Bus or If You’re Happy and You Know It build vocabulary through rhythm and repetition. The hand motions reinforce the meaning of words, and supports the development of gesture - helping toddlers connect language to actions.
Tip: Don’t worry if your toddler isn’t singing yet - just hearing and watching is beneficial.
Play “I Spy” Around the House
Make a game of naming everyday objects: “I spy something red... it’s an apple!” This teaches colour, shape, and object names.
Tip: Keep it simple. Use clear, slow speech and repeat words often.
Use Toy Animals or Vehicles for Sound Play
Animals and vehicles are perfect for encouraging early speech sounds. Moo like a cow, beep like a truck, and roar like a lion.
Tip: Focus on fun sounds like “vroom,” “quack,” or “choo choo.” These build phonological awareness in a playful way.
Have a Puppet Conversation
Puppets are fantastic for shy or quiet toddlers. Use a puppet to say “Hi!” or ask your child simple questions. It’s less pressure than direct adult conversation.
Tip: Let your child respond using their own puppet, encouraging turn-taking and back-and-forth dialogue.
Play Kitchen or Restaurant
Use pretend food to play chef or waiter. Name ingredients, describe how you are cooking, and ask for “more,” “less,” or “hot” food.
Tip: Emphasise key words and phrases like “I’m hungry,” “yum,” or “my turn.”
Build with Blocks While Talking
As you stack blocks together, describe what you are doing: “Up, up, up - crash!” Simple words and cause-effect play build both language and cognitive skills.
Tip: Narrate your actions even if your toddler is mostly observing. They are absorbing vocabulary constantly.
Play Dress-Up
Put on hats, scarves, or costumes and create silly characters or scenes. Use phrases like “I’m a pirate!” or “Look at my big hat!”
Tip: Ask open-ended questions like, “What should we do next?” to prompt storytelling.
Blow Bubbles
This classic outdoor activity is also a speech booster. Say “pop,” “big,” “more,” or “blow!” as you play.
Tip: Pause and wait for your toddler to indicate they want more - this teaches turn-taking and encourages speech attempts.
Play is not just fun - it’s a powerful tool for communication. By turning everyday moments into playful learning opportunities, you are giving your toddler the tools to express themselves confidently. No pressure, no perfection - just connection, repetition, and a lot of silly sounds.
How Inner West Paediatrics Can Help
At Inner West Paediatrics, our experienced speech pathologists work closely with families to assess and support your child’s language development.
We provide:
- Comprehensive language assessments
- Individualised therapy plans
- Fun, play-based sessions
- Support for parents and carers
- Collaborative, holistic care with other professionals
Our goal is to help your child feel confident and understood when communicating. If you are unsure whether your child needs support or just want guidance, we’d love to chat.
Reach out to the team at Inner West Paediatrics to book a consultation or learn more.
Call us on (02) 9560 8905
Or send us an enquiry here: info@innerwestpaediatrics.com.au
