Using Story Time to Nurture Early Speech and Language Development
Learn how to turn story time into a thousand little opportunities to build speech & language skills with your little one!
Using Story Time to Support Early Speech and Language Development for Babies and Toddlers
As a speech-language pathologist and private practice owner, I often talk with parents about how to make the most of story time to encourage their little one’s early speech and language skills. And this Thursday, I’ll be at Harmony Kids Playhouse in Media, joining Tai for two free group sessions—Babble & Books at 11 am and 3 pm—where we’ll explore fun, interactive ways to bring stories to life for babies and toddlers!
More info and sign up for Babble & Books here.
In the spirit of enriching your story time (with me and at home)! -Here are some simple yet powerful ways to turn story time into a special speech and language-building experience:
Slow Down your Rate of Speech: For young children, research suggests they generally understand speech at a rate between 100-140 words per minute (wpm). This rate allows them to process language without becoming overwhelmed and is often much slower than adult conversational speech which tends to be somewhere between 160-200. So, slow it down! **Additional bonus to doing this is that kiddos will typically listen and follow directions better with a slower rate!
Use Simple Words and Phrases: For little ones, it’s all about keeping things simple. Use short phrases and point to pictures as you read, saying things like “big truck,” “baby sleeps,” or “happy dog.” Repeating these words throughout the book helps them hear sounds and start associating words with images.
Make Sounds and Imitate Actions: Babies and toddlers love sounds like animal noises, vehicle sounds, or funny sound effects. Imitate these sounds—“moo,” “vroom,” “beep-beep”—and add actions like clapping or waving. It’s not only fun but also teaches them how sounds connect with actions and objects.
Ask Simple Questions: While reading, ask questions even if your child isn’t yet speaking, like “Where’s the dog?” or “Can you point to the ball?” This engages them, helps them start noticing details, and gives them a chance to respond with gestures or sounds.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Young kids learn through repetition, so feel free to read the same books over and over. Familiarity helps build confidence, memory, and understanding.
Follow Their Lead: If your little one points to a certain picture or shows excitement over something, spend a little extra time on that page. Talk about what they’re interested in, even if it’s just pointing out details like colors or shapes.
For a hands-on experience with this, join me and Tai at Harmony Kids Playhouse this Thursday! It’ll be a wonderful time to explore language through stories, sounds, and interactive play, specially designed for little ones ages 0-4. Hope to see you there!
If you’d like more one-on-one training and information on facilitating your child’s early development we are always available. Scheduling sessions with us can be done right away! No waitlists and no commitments. Reach out and we can chat more about the next steps! We’re here for you!
