You were just beginning to see such huge developments in your little one’s use of language; they were getting the hang of commenting on things they were seeing and doing, and their level of communication was beginning to improve significantly. Now, you’ve noticed they simply aren’t saying any words at all and have regressed back to babbling like they did when they were babies. It seemed like only yesterday you were having a conversation with your toddler, and now all you’re getting is “goo goo gaga”. You wonder, Why on earth is this happening?

It’s extremely common for toddlers to revert back to baby talk at one time or another. In fact, it’s part of their normal development. They can also regress in many other behaviours; whether it’s sleep, potty training, or tying shoelaces, toddlers are at a stage where learning and development aren’t always a straight line. They wobble all over the place before they’re consistent at something, and we need to be very patient with them in the process.

So let’s take a look at a few ways we can help our children improve their language skills.

How do I encourage my little one to use words again?

When you ask your child to name an object that they might request, don’t answer for them. If you answer for them when they already know the word, they will not need to say it. Instead, you can encourage your child to retrieve the word or use the correct motor speech movements by asking them if they need help. You can give them the first sound of the word or describe features of the word or what it is used for, for example. If you do have to give them the word, then help your child say the word and imitate you. The experience of using the word expressively reinforces vocabulary development.

Help your toddler name objects and body parts by asking them to show you. For example, “show me your toes.” Make sure they are watching your face as you speak. But be careful not to ask too many questions, as language isn't learned through drill work. Instead, children pick up on it in natural interactions, so modelling language and giving your child the space, time, and opportunity are important. Children also need motivation to want to communicate, and having a reason to do so is very important.

Waiting and pausing are also very important for some children who are developing their speech and language skills.
When you’re playing with them and pointing to something for them to name, don’t expect your little one to be able to repeat the word right away. Just the sound is enough at this stage.
Be repetitive. Keep asking your child to point out the same objects every day and wait for them to respond.
Make your little one aware of everyday items by giving a running commentary. You might want to say things like, “Mummy is putting her shoes on" or “Let Daddy help you put your jumper on”. Or ask them where things are: “Where are your gloves?” And ask your child to retrieve them.

When you ask your little one a question and they don’t answer right away, try not to make a big deal. Some children require extra time to process information; others may feel a bit uncertain if they haven’t yet achieved adequate motor speech movements. Too much pressure can make some toddlers resistant to your efforts. Keep encouraging them to say what they want and practice formulating words.

What do I do if my toddler has gone back to baby talk and babbling?

From Unii’s Toddler Speech Journey, we share what to do if your toddler’s speech regresses.