It can be a trying time when your toddler has a lot to say but does not have the words yet to communicate.
Receptive language skills often come in first which means your toddler understands more than they can express.
Expressive communication is when your child gains the ability to let you know what their needs and wants are through sounds, pointing, signs, pictures or spoken words.
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Toddler Frustration from Not Talking
So what happens when your toddler is able to understand a lot…but can not express their own thoughts ?
They get frustrated.
The toddler gets frustrated.
The parent gets frustrated.
This can lead to frequent toddler tantrums throughout the day.
So how can you help your child communicate before their words have come?
There are a few different strategies you can try in order to make communication a bit easier even before your toddler is able to express their wants and needs verbally.
Use Sign Language With Toddlers
One way to bridge the gap with children you can not communicate with spoken words is to use sign language.
A common question that comes when sign language is discussed is: will using sign language with my baby or toddler cause a speech delay?
The short answer is no…but for my full explanation on that just click the link.
How to Introduce Sign Language to Non Verbal Toddlers
You can start by introducing just a couple of signs at a time.
Choose ones that will be the most helpful for your little one such as “more” and “all done.”
You can purchase a sign language book like this one to help you learn the signs and help your toddler communicate.
Use Visual Supports to Encourage Communication
If you are not interested in the sign language route then using pictures can be a great way to give your toddler a pathway to communicate when they don’t have spoken word.
Benefits of Using Visual Supports with Toddlers
Using visual supports with infants and toddlers can provide lots of benefits.
It supports both receptive and expressive language because you pair spoken language with a picture which helps your child to understand the meaning of a word.
Using pictures can help combat tantrums because looking at a picture, pointing to one, or actually handing you one is easier for most children than speaking a word.
This is a great way to bridge the communication gap while encouraging early literacy skills as well.
Picture Communication with Toddlers: How to Get Started
So what do you need to get started with using visual supports with your toddler to encourage communication?
Pictures of course!
You can download my printable visual support kit for toddlers HERE.
It it includes EVERYTHING you need to get started such as:
- First/Then Prompt
- Choice Prompt
- Daily Menu
- Daily Schedule
- Bedtime Routine
- 100 Picture Vocabulary Cards
Use Pictures Consistently for Best Results
Picture communication systems can work well but it is important to use them constantly with your child to ensure progress.
You can integrate pictures throughout your day by using visual schedules, prompts, and cue cards during your daily routine.
Start Where it is Needed the Most First
Do not feel like you have to implement all visual prompts at once.
Most likely this will just feel overwhelming and then you will quit.
Instead focus on implementing one set where it would be the most helpful.
For example, if your toddler’s biggest struggle is transitions…then start with implementing visual schedules.
If your child is getting frustrated with meal times then start with the menu board and choice chart.
As you see success with the visual prompts you can add on more throughout the day.
Will using pictures for communication cause a language delay?
No, this will not cause a language delay.
You should always pair pictures with spoken word.
Using visual prompts will help your toddler communicate with you and understand more of what you are saying.
It is an easy and effective way to improve communication between you and your little one.
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.