First: check their hearing
Before anything else, if you haven’t already, ask your GP for a hearing test. Hearing difficulties are one of the most common causes of language delay, and they’re often subtle. A hearing test is quick, free and easy, and should always be the first step.
Follow their lead
One of the most powerful things you can do is to follow your child’s lead in play. Let them choose the activity and then join in on their terms — commenting on what they’re doing rather than directing or questioning. Instead of ‘What’s that?’ (which requires a verbal response), try ‘Oh, a ball!’ (which models language without pressure).
Reduce questions, expand instead
Questions put children on the spot and can increase anxiety around communication. Instead of asking questions, try expanding what your child says or does. If your child says ‘ball’, you say ‘Yes, big red ball!’ If they point to the dog, you say ‘Dog! The dog is running!’ This models language slightly above your child’s current level — which is exactly the input they need.
Give your child time — and resist filling the silence
Late talkers often need more processing time than other children. When you ask a question or wait for a response, count to ten in your head before speaking again. This feels agonisingly long but gives your child the space they need. Resist the urge to answer for them or fill the silence. The silence is productive — it’s thinking time.
When to seek professional help
The strategies above will support any late talker — but they’re not a substitute for professional assessment if something significant is going on. Please seek specialist support if: your child has fewer than 50 words at age 2; your child is not combining words at age 2.5; your child’s speech is very difficult to understand by age 3; your child has lost language skills; or you have any gut feeling that something isn’t right.