Hesperian Health Guides
When your child begins to talk
To help your child communicate with words
A young child does not know enough words to say everything he wants to say. So he will often use a sound or word — or several words — to say many things. Do not tell your child that he said something wrong. Instead, help his language grow by filling in the words he did not say.
Wait for your child to ask for something rather than giving it to him first.
The sun is hot. Tomás seems thirsty.
Yes, I’ll get you some water.
Ask questions that require more than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
Let your child take the lead when you are talking. Talk about what he wants to talk about.
When your child’s message is unclear, let him know. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot understand what your child is trying to tell you.
|You might try asking him:||If you still cannot understand what he is|
trying to tell you, let him know.
Can you say it another way? Can you show me?
I wish I could understand you, but I can’t.