When your toddler is ready for more than single words!

This week, we're building on everything you've been practicing with pauses and simple models. You'll find a new toy recommendation in The Toybox, a quick mindset shift in The Speech Spark, and a new guide to help your child move from single words to first phrases.

Toy food sets, play kitchens, or even a few pretend items from around the house are powerful tools for building longer communication. Pretend play gives kids a reason to combine ideas, not just label things.

So far this month, we’ve focused on getting communication started through pauses, waiting, and simple words. Pretend play builds on that by encouraging children to add information: what it is, what’s happening, and what comes next.

Instead of just “apple,” play invites:

“Eat apple”

“More juice”

“Mama eat”

Model short phrases (not questions):

“Eat apple.”

“Baby drink.”

“More food.”

Repeat, don’t expand yet:

If your child says “eat,” you say “eat cookie” - then pause.

Offer simple choices:

“Apple or banana?” (hold both up)

Use action + word together:

“Eat!” (as you pretend eat)

Pause after your model:

Give space for imitation or response.

Similar toys that work the same skills:

Dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars with people, farm sets, or pretend cleaning tools.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about how you talk - modeling instead of testing, pausing instead of rushing.

This week’s reminder is about what you model:

👉 One good short model is better than a long model.

You don’t need full sentences. In fact, short phrases are easier for kids to copy.

Think:

Not: “The baby is eating a banana.”

Try: “Baby eat.”

Clear, simple language gives your child something they can actually try on their own.

It also supports understanding: the shorter the instruction, the easier it is for your child to show you they understand by following it.

Meal time is one of the best opportunities to practice early word combinations because the same words show up again and again.

What parents typically do:

Ask lots of questions or focus on getting through the meal.

Try this simple mealtime script instead:

Hold the food or cup:

“More crackers.” (pause)

Wait for any response - sound, look, reach, word.

Model again and give it:

“More crackers.” (then hand it over)

Easy phrases to model at meals:

“More milk.”

“Eat food.”

“All done.”

“Help me.”

Tip: Like we talked about last week, silence is still doing work here. Give your child a moment before jumping in.

1. When your child says one word, repeat it back with just one more word added, then pause and wait.

2. Model the same short 2-word phrase multiple times during play instead of switching to new words constantly.

3. If your child ignores your model, keep playing naturally and try again in a minute without pressure.

4. Instead of asking "what's this?" or testing during pretend play; narrate what you're doing with short phrases.

5. Celebrate any attempt to combine words, even if it's just two sounds strung together, by repeating what they said.

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!