Songs

When parents ask, "What can I do at home to help my child talk?", I like to start with one of my favorite tools, songs. The fun, familiar, and repetitive nature of nursery rhymes make them one of the go-to tools I consistently recommend to infant and toddler parents.

The speech therapist-approved way to use songs:

1. If you are the one singing- have your child face you! Remember, they don't mind if you're off-tune or care what your voice sounds like. 

2. If you are playing music in the car or through a speaker- sing along! This makes it fun, reduces the pressure on your child, and provides another model for them. 

3. Emphasize target words or sounds- make these louder than the others in the song (see below for specific recommendations based on the song)

4. Add movement- this can be hopping, opening your arms when they say open, running when they say run. It is just another way to strengthen their connection between words and the meaning they carry, an important step in language development.

Recommended nursery rhymes:

• "Wheels on the Bus"

Focus words: wheels, up/down, shh, wahh, open/shut, swish, beep

Movement: arms moving around, jump up/down, "shh" finger in front of mouth, wipe your eyes, open/shut hands or arms, "beep" a pretend horn

• "Run Baby Run"

Focus words: run, jump, spin, sing, lala, baby

Movement: run, jump, spin, sing, swing!

• "One Little Finger"

Focus words: one, tap, up, down, any body part

Movement: tap, point up/down, point finger/touch body part

• "Over in the Meadow"

Focus words: dig, swim, hoot, buzz, squeak

Movement: pretend to dig, swim

• "My Bunny Goes Hop"

Focus words: hop, no, animal sounds

Movement: hop, shake head "no"

Trying it out at home

Start with their favorite songs using the strategies above and have fun! Even if they quietly listen to you sing, know that they're still soaking in the language and benefiting from the connection.