First Word Photo Album

8-10 clear photos of familiar people, pets, and everyday objects

A small, sturdy photo album or cardboard pages

Tape (if making a DIY album)

Print or gather 8-10 clear photos of people, pets, and objects your toddler sees daily.

Slide them into a photo album or tape onto cardboard pages.

Sit together and open to the first page. Point and name: "Dada! That's Dada!"

Give your toddler time to respond. Celebrate any attempt — even partial words.

Ask questions: "Where's the doggy?" Let them point or flip to find it.

Add descriptions: "That's your cup. Your blue cup. You drink milk from it."

Let your toddler turn pages themselves for engagement and control.

Revisit daily and add new photos as their world expands.

Photos of real, familiar things are more powerful than generic pictures at this age. Your toddler recognizes Grandma's face, their own sippy cup, the family cat. These connections make words stick faster.

Keep the album accessible — on a low shelf where your toddler can grab it. You'll find them flipping through it independently, which is exactly the point.

This is also a wonderful tool for easing separation anxiety. A photo of mama or dada can be comforting at daycare or bedtime.

Update the album every few weeks. New photos keep it interesting, and you'll be amazed at how quickly their recognized vocabulary grows.