Encouraging Baby’s First Words

As your baby or toddler learns to communicate, they may feel frustrated when they can’t tell you what they want or need.

While it takes time for them to develop enough words to tell you what they want and need, focusing on FUNCTIONAL words can help!

While tots being able to name colors, letters, and numbers is impressive, it’s important for them to learn words that will help them FUNCTION in their day-to-day.

As you model words for your child, ask yourself:

• ”What are the words my child will need to know to communicate their wants and needs with me?”

• ”What words will make it easier when my child needs help?”

• “What objects are most meaningful to them?”

THINK ABOUT WORDS THAT …

• Will be useful to them.

• Will help them tell you what they want or need.

• Will help them talk about things they enjoy.

These are functional words.

While functional words vary for each child, examples are:
- want, go, help, open, eat
- more, all done
- yes, no
- milk
- mama, dada

When modeling functional words, remember to:

• Get down to your child’s eye level.

• Model the word throughout your child’s day.

• Emphasize the word by slowing down and using a fun tone.

• Use gestures and objects to help your child create meaning around the word.

Are you working on functional words with your little one? Let us know what they are in the comments!