Daily Routines to Build your Child's Language

From Yoga Mama's Registered Speech Pathologist Chantel O'Brien, here is a list of easy actionable ways to incorporate new vocabulary into your little's daily routine!

Chantel has over 15 years of experience working with children of all ages. She is ready to work together with families to create an achievable and goal-oriented plans and to empower families along the way.

Learn more about children's speech language pathology services at Yoga Mamas.

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​Use Daily Routines to Build Language
by Chantel O'Brian

Daily routines are great opportunities to teach new vocabulary and expand on your child’s language… and they are already built into your day!

Why routines?

• They are predictable
• They are familiar
• They are repetitive

How to build language into your routines

1. Be consistent.

• Do the routine the same way each time and use the same words

2. WAIT - Allow an opportunity for your child to take a turn

• Pause, lean in, and look as though you are waiting for a response.  Your child might respond with eye contact, a gesture, a sound or a word.

​​​3. Have fun!

• Be playful, add an animated voice, use praise

GETTING DRESSED

1. Be consistent in your words and actions	To start: Say “Let’s get dressed” During: Label body parts, clothing or actions (depending on your child’s goals).  “Shirt”, “Put your socks on”.  End:  “All done getting dressed”​
2. Create an opportunity for your child to take a turn ​	Your child’s turn can change depending on their communication goals. Your child may: Make eye contact for you to continue dressing them Use a gesture; point to what item they want, or to where it goes (e.g.,  for socks, points to feet) Verbally request a clothing item (“ pants”)
3. Give a clue ​	​Wait: pause, lean in, and look as though you are waiting for a response.  Your child may request verbally or non-verbally Offer a choice: “sock or shirt?” Hold up the object that you label. ​Fill in the blank: Your shoes go on your ____.  Model the word(s): “shirt”
4. Keep it fun	​Be animated and enthusiastic Encourage your child by offering praise

SNACKTIME

1.Be consistent in your words and actions	To start: Say “Snacktime” During: Label what is happening or what you see (depending on your child’s goals) “juice”, “crackers” “pour the juice” End: “We’re all done snack!”
2. Create an opportunity for your child to take a turn	​Your child’s turn can change depending on their communication goals. Your child may: Make eye contact as they ask for more food/drink Use a gesture; point to what item they want, or to where they want it on their plate Verbally request (e.g., “juice, I want apple”)
3. Give a clue	Wait: pause, lean in, and look as though you are waiting for a response.  Your child may request verbally or non-verbally Offer a choice: “cracker or pear?”  Hold up the object that you label. Fill in the blank: You want the ___? Model the word(s): “Pear”Value
4. ​Keep it fun	​Be animated and enthusiastic Encourage your child by offering praise

​Remember to build your child’s understanding of the steps of the routines, by adding gestures, pictures or objects during the routine.

Book a FREE 20 Min Consultation with Chantel