Welcome back! In this email, we’ll talk about an underrated speech tool that you probably already have several of, a realistic leaving-the-house routine, and a quick Survival Guide you can use on a rushed evening. Think of these items as little things you can add to your ever-expanding toolkit as a parent!
The Toybox: Board Books (Lift-the-Flap or Touch-and-Feel)
Board books with flaps or textures are an underrated speech tool in a toddler home. They slow play down, invite curiosity, and naturally create moments where your child needs you to keep things going.
Why it builds communication
Just like the stop-and-go play we talked about last week, interactive books create little “interruptions.” The flap won’t lift itself. The page won’t turn alone. That pause gives your child a reason to look, reach, point, vocalize, or attempt a word.
Ways to use it to build language
Pause before lifting the flap:
Hold the flap and wait.
“Open?” (pause)
Model simple, repeated words:
“Open.” “Close.” “Dog!” “Wow!”
Use sound effects instead of questions:
“Roar!” “Moo!” “Beep!”
Follow your child’s lead:
If they flip pages quickly, label just one thing and keep going.
End before they’re done:
Stopping while it’s still fun keeps communication positive.
Similar toys that work the same skills
Photo albums, toy barns with doors, boxes with lids, or anything that opens and closes.
The Speech Spark ⚡️
Last week we talked about swapping questions for comments, and this week expands a bit on that idea.
👉 Silence is not missed teaching. It’s an invitation.
When you pause instead of filling the space with words, your child has a chance to step in. That might look like:
A look
A reach
A sound
A word
All of those count.
You don’t need to talk more for your child to learn language. Often, talking less (and waiting) gives them the space they need to try.
The Mundane Moment - Leaving the House 🏠
Getting out the door happens every day… and it’s usually rushed (that’s not just me, is it?). That makes it a perfect and realistic place to practice simple language.
What parents typically do:
Grab shoes, put them on quickly, carry the child to the car.
Try this simple “leaving the house” script instead:
Hold the shoes or jacket:
“Shoes?” (pause)
Wait for any response - look, reach, sound, word.
Model and move on:
“Shoes on.” (then help)
Easy words to model here:
“On.” “Off.” “Go.” “Help.” “Bye.” “All done.”
Tip: Just like bath time last week, repetition matters more than variety. The same few words at the door every day add to your child’s vocabulary fast.
Survival Guide: The “Out-the-door” Guide
Last week’s Bath-Time-Talk Guide showed how routines don’t need constant narration to build language. This guide applies that same idea to one of the busiest parts of the day.
1. Use the same 3-step script for shoes, jackets, and car seats: hold the item, pause, then help while saying a short phrase like “Shoes on.”
2. Pick a few simple words to repeat every day at the door, such as “On,” “Off,” “Go,” “Help,” and “Bye,” and let the extra chatter go.
3. Before you move in to help, wait a calm 3–5 seconds so your child has a chance to look, reach, or make a sound.
4. If your child gets frustrated, gently step in and model the words while you do the action, so waiting never feels like a test.
5. During these transitions, use “micro-talk” by adding tiny comments like “Shoes buckled,” “Jacket zipped,” or “All done” instead of long explanations.
A Meme
I’d love your feedback!
If there is a toy, book, or routine you want me to cover, reply to this email and tell me! I want to collect parent-requested ideas for future editions.
We are testing this new newsletter format. If you have feedback on what you want more of (or less of), I would love to hear it!
Thanks for reading! 😊
Casey
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