How To Talk To Toddlers
June 16, 2008
Talking to toddlers can actually be fun. Yes, it is because the tiny tots speak really cute, giving you a reason to laugh your heart out. Many people are uncomfortable talking to kids and some just can’t do it for any reason.
In case you want them to talk or to perform what you say, let your toddler see what you mean, by matching what you do to what you say. “Off with your shirt,” you say, taking it off over his head; “Now your shoes”, removing them. Let your toddler see what you feel by matching what you say with your facial expressions.
This is no age for teasing (what age is?). If you give him a big hug while saying “Who’s mummy’s great horrible grubby monster then?” you will confuse him. Your face is saying “Who is mummy’s gorgeous boy?” Listening is an important part of communication, so make your toddler to listen to you when you speak. Encourage the child to hear all the new ‘doing’ words, like playing, putting, washing, cutting, etc. You’ve made him listen; now it’s your chance. Make certain that you listen to your toddler.
Don’t expect too much too fast. Since you’re talking to a small child, take it slowly. Don’t talk as though the child can’t understand a word of English, though. The main things to avoid are clichés (which can be confusing to a child who still takes concepts literally), metaphors, and possibly, very long words. A toddler’s brain is very literal, so mean exactly what you say. Show true interest. Little kids can tell if you like them and want to talk to them. If you are genuinely interested in what they have to say, the process will be much more fun.
Be consistent in the words and the way you use them, when talking to your toddler to get his attention. Don’t give too many instructions at a time. Prefer giving simple, clear instructions. If you’re short of ideas or topics to start any conversation with a toddler, use nursery rhymes, stories, or song lyrics. You can play games, involving sounds and words, with your toddler. Simple games work well, too. Start clapping your hands and see if they’ll follow along. The old “high five” works wonders with little boys, since it’s typically one of the first “grown-up” maneuvers they can execute consistently.
Obviously, this presupposes that you’ve got a certain amount of rapport with the kid and his/her parents. Walking up to an unknown kid and offering a friendly game of paddy-cake could very well result in you staring down the business end of a pissed-off father (or worse, a pissed-off mother).
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