Sentences That Toddler's Understand
A sample of sentences that can assist your toddler in understanding what is being said or being asked of them. Please use these examples on a consistent basis and whenever needed.
When Talking With Your Toddler
1. Use shorter sentences
Speak slowly but put stress on important words and sometimes use pictures to visualize words.
Use Comments like “I see that you,” “I think that,” I feel that,” I’d like to know more,” I remember when,” “I wonder how,”’’ like how.”
Stay away from saying just “good job”; this ends the conversation.
Ask short questions to find out more about things.
‘‘Please tell me more’’ or ‘‘tell me more please’’.
2. Just listen sometimes
Always get your child’s attention by facing them, using their names and getting down to their level.
The art of conversation is a two-way street, so give enough time for your child to talk.
Use bold facial expressions and gestures when listening to your child.
3. Use the word No for particular things
For things like biting, pushing, hitting or dangerous behaviour, please use the words “no” and “stop,” but also explain why you are saying this.
2. When Giving Praise Say
“Thank you for telling me that you want another muffin.”
“Great job putting all your toys away.”
“Wow, what a big house you are building.”
‘‘You did it; you filled your bucket with sand; great job’’.
‘‘You’re getting so strong, pouring your water”.
“Wow, you can run so fast.”
“You are so patient, waiting for your turn.”
3. When Offering Choices, Say
“Do you want to wear your white or blue socks”?
“Which book are you going to choose after your bath”?
“Would you like a peach or a banana”?
“Do you want another cookie or another cracker”?
“Do you want your teddy bear or the blocks”?
“What colour will you choose next”?
4. While Playing Outside Say
“What can you smell”?
“Wow, where are the birds going”?
“Look what I found, a long Brown twig.”
“What did you find”?
‘‘Let’s try and count three birds”.
“What should we eat when we return home”?
“What colour is that dog”?
5. While Playing With Your Child Say
“What are you building with the blocks”?
“Where is the Red car going”?
“You're pouring water; is it cold or warm”?
“Why are you putting the pigs into their pigpen”?
“What are you playing with now”?
“What do you want to play with after”?
“You are cooking; what are you making”?
“What are you drawing”?
6. When Asking Open-Ended Questions
“Where is the Red block”?
“Is the duck under the blanket or the box”?
“I wonder how many wheels there are; let’s count them.”
“What should we bake for Johnny's party”?
“I can’t remember. Is this a fire truck or a police car”?
“What are you drawing today”?
7. When Assisting With Clean Up Say
‘‘Let’s work together; what do you want to clean up first”?
‘‘I will put away the Blue Legos; which one will you do”?
“If we work together, we can finish faster.”
“Ya, we are done; great putting your toys away.”
“Look, it's all clean; good job.”