Helping your child use more words

This guide is about the words your child uses: names for people and things, and words for what people do. The ideas below show how to name things while you do them together.

They fit into play, jobs around the house and trips out. You can use the same ideas in any language.

When children learn this

Children typically say their first words at about 12 months.
Health checklists say that by 2, most children say and understand at least 50 words.
Health checklists use 'most children' to mean at least 3 in 4 children. If your child is not doing a 'most children' skill by the age given, see your GP or child health nurse for advice.
As children learn more words, they add action words, like jump, and describing words, like big.
Children learn language skills at different ages.

Try this

While you play

Push a red toy car along the floor with your child. Name what the car does.

Your child: Car!
You: A red car. The car goes fast. Now the car stops.

Around the house

Hang out the washing together. Name each thing as your child hands it to you.

Your child: Sock.
You: A sock. Peg the sock on the line. Up it goes.

When you go out

At the park, your child points at a bird flying past. Name what they point at.

Your child: (points)
You: A bird. The bird is flying. Up, up, up.

Why it helps

When you name things and actions in short sentences while you do them, your child hears words that fit what is happening. Your child does not have to copy you.

When to get help

Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is between 1 and 2 and does not babble, does not respond to speech or sounds, or makes few or no tries to communicate.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is 18 months or older and has no clear words, does not point, wave or use other gestures, or does not follow simple instructions.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is between 2 and 3 and shows little reaction when people talk to them or stops making progress with talking.

Safety and when to act

If your child stops using words or skills they had, or you have new worries, see your GP. Do not wait.
If your child is 3 or older and people who know them well understand very little of what they say, or your child is 2 or older and not putting two or more words together, see your GP or child health nurse for advice.
Hearing problems can affect talking. Ask your GP about a hearing test, especially after a lot of ear infections.
If your child stutters, contact a speech pathologist. Give your child time to finish. Do not use word lists or sound games with a child who stutters unless your speech pathologist says so.
Tell your GP if your child often coughs, chokes or gags when eating or drinking, has wet or gurgly breathing, keeps getting chest infections, or is losing weight. If food is stuck and your child cannot swallow, go to the nearest emergency department. If it is hard for them to breathe, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. If your child is choking and cannot cough or make a sound, start first aid and call 000.
Do not ask your child to say a word again and again. They may get frustrated.
You can do these ideas in any language. Learning more than one language does not cause talking problems.
These ideas do not replace a speech pathologist. Stay on the waitlist.

More help

Sources

Last checked 12 October 2026

Helping your child use more words