One shift to help your toddler feel heard

Welcome back to the newsletter! This week, we are moving beyond following directions to focus on the power of your child’s response. You will find a new favorite in the Toybox, a strategy for choices in the Mundane Moment, and a fresh Survival Guide to help you navigate yes and no questions.

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A simple flashlight might not look like a "speech therapy" toy - but it can be a powerful tool for teaching yes / no, attention, and early decision-making.

Flashlight play works because you control the fun… and your child has to respond or communicate to keep it going.

Why it builds communication

Over the last few weeks, we’ve focused on helping kids understand short language and follow simple directions. Flashlight play adds the next layer: responding.

When the light turns on and off, your child has a reason to say (or show) “yes,” “no,” or “again.”

Ways to use it to build language

Offer simple yes/no moments:

Shine the light on the wall.

“More?” (pause)

Model yes/no clearly:

Nod and say “yes!”

Shake your head and say “no.”

Let gestures count first:

A nod, shake, reach, or sound is a win.

Add a choice:

“Light on or off?” (pause)

Stop on purpose:

Turn the light off and wait. Silence invites a response.

Similar toys that work the same skills:

Light-up toys, music players with buttons, bubbles, or anything that clearly turns on and off.

Once kids start understanding directions, the next skill is learning that their response matters.

👉 Yes and no are powerful early words.

They allow your child to:

Express preferences

Communicate refusal

Participate in back-and-forth interaction

Like we talked about two weeks ago, short language is easier to copy - and “yes” and “no” are some of the shortest, most functional words there are.

If words aren’t there yet, that’s okay. Meaning comes first.

You already make dozens of decisions for your child every day - but turning some of those into choices creates natural communication opportunities.

What parents typically do:

Hand over the toy and move on.

Try this simple choice script instead:

Hold up two toys:

“Ball or car?” (pause)

Wait for any response - look, point, sound, or word.

Model the choice:

“Car.” (then give it)

Easy words to model here:

“Yes.” “No.” “This.” “That.”

For older toddlers: “I want car.”

Tip: You don’t need to do this all day. Even one or two choice moments make a difference.

Use a physical head nod or shake every time you say "yes" or "no" to provide a clear visual model.

Honor a "no" response immediately to show your child that their communication has power and purpose.

Limit choices to only two items at a time to prevent your child from feeling overwhelmed.

Treat a reach, a point, or a persistent look as a successful response even if no words are spoken.

Pause for five full seconds after asking a question to give your child time to process their response.