How to Teach Your Child to Talk Faster and Say More Words

Every parent eagerly waits for their child’s first words. But what if your toddler isn’t talking as much as expected? While every child develops at their own pace, there are proven ways to teach your child to talk and expand their vocabulary naturally.

From daily conversations and interactive reading to Montessori-inspired activities, this guide covers everything you need to help your child build strong language skills.

Ready to start your toddlers reading journey? Explore Our Montessori Reading Curriculum

1. Focus on Phonetic Realism to Support Natural Speech

A key element of teaching your child to talk is phonetic realism—speaking in a way that mirrors natural speech instead of exaggerating sounds.

Speak at a normal pace and tone so your child hears words as they naturally occur.
Avoid stretching sounds (e.g., don’t say “baaaaall” for “ball”). Instead, say the word as you normally would.
Emphasize correct pronunciation instead of baby talk. If your child says “wawa” for water, respond with “Yes, that’s water.”
Pair words with real-life experiences so your child connects meaning with sounds (eg. say “this is a spoon” while using it to stir soup).

💡 Tip: When speaking, look at your child’s face so they can see how your mouth forms words, which helps them learn correct articulation.

2. Read Aloud Daily to Teach Your Child to Talk Faster

Books introduce new words and sentence structures, making them essential for teaching your child to talk.

Point and name objects: “Here’s a truck. It’s red and big.”
Ask questions: “Where’s the dog? Can you find the tree?”
Use repetitive books: Stories like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? help reinforce language patterns.
Engage in predictive reading: Pause and let your child fill in the missing words.

💡 Tip: Read books multiple times. Repetition helps children recognize and remember words.

3. Use Repetition & Expand on What Your Child Says

When teaching your child to talk, repeating words and expanding their sentences helps build vocabulary.

If your child says “dog,” you can say, “Yes, that’s a big, fluffy dog.”
Use the same word in different ways: “I see a bird. The bird is flying. That bird is blue.”
Sing songs with repetitive lyrics, like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, to reinforce vocabulary.

💡 Tip: Keep your responses natural and conversational to encourage organic language growth.

4. Encourage Two-Way Conversations

Even if your child isn’t speaking much yet, responding to their sounds and gestures encourages speech development.

Acknowledge attempts at speech: If your child says “ba” for ball, respond, “Yes, that’s a ball!”
Ask open-ended questions to encourage responses: Instead of “Is that a dog?” say, “What do you see?”
Pause after speaking to give your child time to respond, even if it’s just a sound or gesture, then you may respond “yes, it’s a dog.”

💡 Tip: When your child points at something, name and describe it: “That’s a big, green tree swaying in the wind.”

5. Sing Songs and Play Word Games to Teach Your Child to Talk

Music and games make language learning fun while improving memory and pronunciation.

Songs That Boost Speech Development:

If You’re Happy and You Know It (actions + emotions)
Baa Baa Black Sheep (rhyming words)
The Itsy Bitsy Spider (hand movements + storytelling)

Simple Word Games:

I Spy: “I spy something round… What is it?”
Echo Game: Repeat a word, then let your child try it.
Animal Sounds: “What does a cow say?”

💡 Tip: Movement-based songs help children connect words to actions, reinforcing their meaning.

6. Limit Screen Time & Encourage Real Conversations

Screens can introduce words, but real-life conversations are far more effective for teaching your child to talk.

Better Alternatives to Screen Time:

Storytelling without books: “Once upon a time, there was a…” You can find objects that are represented in the story and tell the story with those objects (eg. three mini pigs and a wolf for The Three Little Pigs).
Pretend play with dolls, animals, or toy food.
Talking through daily routines: “Now we wash our hands. The water is warm.”

💡 Tip: If you allow screen time, watch together and talk about what’s happening to make it interactive.

7. Use Gestures & Baby Sign Language

Gestures support early communication and can bridge the gap before verbal speech.

Wave while saying “bye-bye.”
Point to objects while naming them.
Use simple baby signs like “more,” “eat,” and “help” to support early communication.

💡 Tip: When your child uses a gesture, say the word aloud to reinforce it.

8. The Montessori Approach to Teaching Your Child to Talk

The Montessori method emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning to support language development.

Montessori Activities to Teach Your Child to Talk:

Object Naming Baskets: Let your child explore real-life objects while you name them.
Sandpaper Letters: Trace letters while saying their sounds.
Three-Part Cards: Show an image, say the word, and have your child repeat it.
Real-Life Conversations: Speak to your child using full, clear sentences.

Why Montessori Works for Language Development:

Child-led learning: Follow their interests when introducing words. (eg. if your child loves trains, read them books about trains).
Hands-on exploration: Use real objects, not just flashcards.
Rich vocabulary exposure: Encourage descriptive language (e.g., “This is a smooth, round stone”).

💡 Tip: A language-rich environment supports independent communication.

Ready to start your toddlers reading journey? Explore Our Montessori Reading Curriculum today…

9. Introduce New Words During Everyday Activities

Teaching your child to talk happens naturally during daily routines.

On walks: “Look at the birds flying in the sky.”
At meals: “This apple is crunchy and juicy.”
During bath time: “Splash! The water feels warm.”

💡 Tip: Label emotions too! “You’re smiling because you’re happy!”

FAQ: How to Teach Your Child to Talk Faster

How can I teach my child to talk more?

Talk to them throughout the day, read books, sing songs, and encourage two-way conversations.

At what age should my child start talking?

Most toddlers say their first words around 12 months and start combining words by 18-24 months.

What if my child isn’t talking much by age 2?

If you’re ever concerned with your child’s speech development consult their pediatrician.

Does the Montessori method help with speech development?

Yes! The Montessori approach encourages real-world conversations, hands-on learning, and natural vocabulary building.

Conclusion

Helping your child learn to talk faster and say more words takes consistent interaction, meaningful conversations, and engaging activities. By incorporating Montessori principles, books, songs, and hands-on learning, you can create a language-rich environment that supports speech development.

Want more structured language activities? Check out our Montessori Reading Curriculum to support your child’s speech journey!

Learn more about Aunty Montessori…

Aunty Montessori’s Children’s House

Aunty Montessori Children’s House is thrilled to open in the Queens/Long Island area in 2025! Our preschool offers a warm, inviting space where children can thrive through hands-on learning with carefully chosen Montessori materials. These tools help foster independence, creativity, and problem-solving, empowering children to explore and grow during this sensitive period of development. We focus on developing not only academic skills but also emotional intelligence, teaching children how to communicate, collaborate, and build confidence. At Aunty Montessori, we’re excited to create a nurturing environment where your child’s love for learning will flourish.

If this sounds like the right fit for your family, complete your interest form today to receive all updates and be the first to know when enrollment opens!

Ready to start your toddlers reading journey? Explore Our Montessori Reading Curriculum today…

The Montessori Pink Series is a hands-on language program that introduces children ages 2.5-6 years old to reading through CVC words and picture-word association activities. By the end of the Pink Series, children will be able to decode three-letter phonetic words, read short sentences with fluency, demonstrate phonemic awareness, apply sound blending techniques, and read short phonetically correct books with confidence. Click here to get your curriculum now…