(No Flashcards Required)

This summer, you don’t need a curriculum or a set of flashcards to support your toddler’s language. The best language learning happens in real life — and summer is full of it. 

While it’s true that a great deal of language development takes place in the classroom, everyday moments are also powerful language opportunities – and just as important. Summer break is the perfect time to support your child’s speech and language development at home and in everyday life. 

Why Summer Is Actually Great For Language Development

Summer offers kids a special kind of freedom. With the end of the school year, their typical routine is interrupted and becomes less structured. But don’t worry! This presents a great opportunity for children to have more natural conversations with the people in their everyday lives. They might see more of their parents, family, and friends outside the classroom, which means they’ll engage differently with them. This means they can practice their language skills in a more relaxed and natural way. Summer is also the time of vacations, camps, and other exciting adventures. New environments are a great way to introduce new vocabulary and spark curiosity. 

5 Summer Activities That Build Language

1. Water Play

Playing with water is a fantastic way to build on those language skills. Whether at the beach or poolside, with sprinklers or water balloons, children will be able to practice using action words like “pour,” “fill,” and “empty.” While also using descriptive language, like “wet,” “dry,” and “splash” to help them narrate what’s happening. They’ll also have the opportunity to listen to and follow directions. 

2. Farmer’s Market or Grocery Shopping

The market presents a great opportunity for children to name foods, identify a broad range of colors, and explore textures. When you allow your child to participate in food shopping, they can practice following directions and grow their vocabulary. 

3. Backyard or Park Sensory Play

One of the richest descriptive language activities for toddlers in the summer is one of the simplest: parks and play! Even your own yard presents a myriad of opportunities for your child to identify objects and textures like dirt, sand, leaves, and rocks. It provides a chance to practice commenting vs. quizzing. For example: “That’s bumpy!” instead of “What’s that?”

4. Reading Outside

After a winter spent indoors, reading in the warm weather and fresh air is a welcome change. Some books and a cozy blanket are the perfect recipe for low-pressure language interaction. This is a chance to slow down, so no need to rush. Let your toddler lead, point, and comment on the images and story. 

5. Bath Time Routines

Sometimes, routine is helpful and even necessary. A predictable routine in the midst of summer freedom can make it easier for toddlers to participate verbally. Bath time is perfect for this. Even simple fill-in-the-blank prompts can be helpful for engagement. For example: “Time to wash your ___!” let’s them participate in these activities. 

A Note on HOW You Talk To Your Toddler

It’s not just what you do. It’s how you engage with your toddler that helps them on their language journey. 

One of the best ways to support summer language development is through strategies such as commenting, waiting, getting on your child’s level, and following their lead during play. This creates natural opportunities for communication and helps children feel engaged and understood. In practice, this might look like sitting on the floor with your child, describing what they are doing (“You’re pouring the water!”), pausing to give them a chance to respond, and joining in with the activities they are already engaged in.

When to Reach Out to a Pediatric SLP

It can be hard to know when it’s time to reach out to an SLP for help supporting your childs speech and language development. The first signs that intervention may be necessary are when activities almost always feel one-sided, or your child isn’t responding in ways you would normally expect. 

Even if you’re unsure, an initial evaluation with Everyday Language Co. can help ease your mind. An SLP will always be there to support you and your toddler towards finding the best path towards building strong communication skills. 

About Everyday Language Co. 

Everyday Language Co. is a Brooklyn-based pediatric Speech-Language Pathology practice. 

Jocelyn is a speech therapist with almost two decades of experience in pediatric speech and language development. Always using the most up-to-date research in the field of communication development, Jocelyn is dedicated to helping your child develop their language skills throughout the summer and beyond. As mom herself, Jocelyn knows that every child is unique, with their own personalities and individual needs, so she is sure to create therapy plans with the care, attention, and confidence that your child will succeed on their path.

The Next Step

If you feel concerned about your toddler’s summer language development, please feel free to save this post as a reference, or share it with your family or another parent you know who may need it. If you still have questions, you are more than welcome to reach out and ask! 

If you feel that an evaluation may be necessary, a quick 15 minute consult call can help clear up any concerns. Please feel free to schedule a consultation here – where you can tell us more about what your child is experiencing, and we can discuss the next steps.