Their vocabulary is exploding—let's keep feeding that language-hungry brain.
These activities expand vocabulary, encourage two-word phrases, and build early conversational skills.
Your toddler understands far more than they can say. They follow simple instructions, point at objects they want named, and are building a vocabulary that will explode over the coming months. Every word you speak is feeding that growth.
Narrate your day together: 'We're putting on your shoes. These are your red shoes.' Read books, sing songs, and respond to every point and gesture as meaningful communication. You're building a vocabulary foundation that will serve your child for life.
Responsive language interaction at one year builds the vocabulary, comprehension, and communicative confidence that support the language explosion ahead.
One activity at a time. Toddlers do best with a single focus—too many materials out at once leads to overwhelm, not play.
Embrace the mess. Sensory play is vital at this age, and trying to keep things tidy will just frustrate you both.
Expect parallel play, not sharing. Toddlers aren't developmentally ready to share—give each child their own set of materials.
High energy needs an outlet. Plan physical activities for morning when energy peaks, and quieter play after lunch.
Model two-word phrases during play — 'big truck,' 'more bubbles,' 'go fast' — and encourage your toddler to combine words for the first time.
Set up a simple toy washing station and narrate every step — scrub, rinse, dry — turning water play into a vocabulary-rich language experience.
Slip socks on your hands, give them animal voices, and have simple puppet conversations with your toddler — a playful way to encourage new words.
Fill a basket with safe textured objects and narrate what baby touches — smooth, bumpy, soft, crinkly — pairing sensory exploration with descriptive words.
Introduce simple signs for 'more,' 'all done,' and 'eat' during meals — giving your baby a way to communicate before words come along.
Set up a mini obstacle course and guide your toddler through it with simple directions — over, under, through, around — to practice following spoken instructions.