“He Knows So Much… But He Just Won’t Talk!” – What You Can Do to Support Your Late Talker

It’s dinner time. You’ve just placed your two-year-old in the highchair. He points eagerly at the banana on the counter and lets out a loud “Uh!” You know what he wants—but you find yourself thinking: “Why won’t he just say the word?”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many families feel worried when their toddler seems to understand everything, but isn’t yet speaking much. The good news? There are gentle, supportive ways you can help your child find their voice—at their own pace.

Let’s talk about key strategies that support early language development. These are based on the Hanen Program™, a world-renowned approach to supporting communication in young children. And don’t worry—you don’t need flashcards or fancy toys. These ideas fit right into your daily life.

💡 1. Follow Your Child’s Lead

Children communicate best when they feel heard and seen. Instead of directing the play, watch what your child is doing and join them. If they’re pushing a car across the floor, get down and push a car too.

Try This:

• 🧸 Observe: “Hmm, you’re rolling the car fast!”

• 🚗 Join In: Pick up another car and roll it beside theirs.

• ⏳ Wait: Pause and give them a chance to respond—verbally or non-verbally.

👉 These small moments build trust and help your child stay engaged longer. It also shows them: “You’re in charge of the play, and I’m right here with you.”

🗣️ 2. Imitate and Expand

When your child says something—no matter how short—celebrate it by copying and adding to it.

Try This:

• Child: “Ball!”

• You: “Ball! Big red ball!”

• Or: “You see the ball! It’s bouncing!”

Even if your child is only making sounds like “ba” or “da,” you can still respond with real words. You’re showing them what the next step sounds like.

🧠 3. Use Simple Language

Think of yourself as a “language mirror” for your child. Speak in short sentences that match where they’re at. This helps their brain absorb the words more easily.

Try This:

• Instead of: “It’s time to clean up your toys because we’re having lunch soon.”

• Try: “Toys away. Lunch time.”

Don’t worry about being “too simple”—you’re actually making it easier for your child to follow and learn.

❓ 4. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions help your child use more words, rather than just saying “yes” or “no.”

Try This:

• Instead of: “Do you like this?”

• Ask: “What do you like about this?”

• Or during play: “What should the teddy do next?”

These questions encourage thinking, imagination, and expression—even if your child answers in gestures or short phrases at first.

🌟 5. Create Opportunities to Communicate

Set up small “communication challenges” to motivate your child to use their words, sounds, or gestures.

Try This:

• Offer choices: “Do you want apple or banana?” (Hold up both)

• Put their favourite toy in a clear container and wait—give them time to look at you or make a sound.

You’re not “testing” them—you’re giving them a reason to communicate in a safe, supportive way.

🎙️ 6. Narrate Your Day

You are your child’s best language model. As you go through the day, talk about what you’re doing. This helps your child connect words with real-life actions and objects.

Try This:

• While getting dressed: “Shirt on. One arm, two arms. Zip up!”

• At the park: “You’re climbing! So high!”

Don’t worry if it feels like you’re talking to yourself—it’s exactly what your child needs to hear.

🧡 A Gentle Reminder

If your child is a late talker, it doesn’t mean they’re not smart or not trying. Some children take longer to speak because of how their brain processes language, and that’s okay. These strategies are designed to meet your child where they are—and build up from there.

If you have concerns about your child’s language, it’s always okay to check in with a speech pathologist. Early support can make a big difference.

💬 Final Tip

You don’t need to “teach” all the time. Just talk, play, and connect. Your presence, patience, and voice are the most powerful tools your child has to learn language.

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If this post helped you, subscribe to our blog and share it with another family who might find it useful. Every child’s journey is different—and no parent should feel like they’re going through it alone.

“我孩子明明懂，为什么就是不开口？”——支持迟说宝宝的日常方法

到了晚饭时间，你把兩歲的孩子抱上餐椅。他望着厨房桌上的香蕉，大声「嗯！」了一下。你知道他想要什么，但你还是在心里想：「为什么他就是不开口说话呢？」

如果你有过这样的感受，请相信你并不孤单。很多家长都会担心，孩子好像什么都懂，但说得却很少。好消息是，我们可以用一些温柔、有效的方式来支持孩子的语言发展——而且这些方法就藏在每天的生活当中！

今天要和你分享几个简单可行的沟通技巧，来自全球知名的 Hanen 语言发展方法，专为 0–5 岁语言发展缓慢的孩子设计。不需要教材、不需要额外花钱，这些方法可以轻松融入你和孩子的日常相处。

💡 1. 跟随孩子的兴趣

孩子最愿意表达的时候，是他们感觉被理解、被陪伴的时候。不要急着主导游戏，而是观察孩子在玩什么，然后加入他们。

怎么做：

• 👀 观察：看他在玩什么、看什么

• 🧸 加入：蹲下来一起玩，模仿他的动作，说说他在做什么

• ⏳ 等待：停一下，给孩子一个表达的机会，不着急打断他

👉 这样的互动可以让孩子感受到「你懂我」，也更愿意参与和你说话。

🗣️ 2. 模仿并扩展孩子的语言

当孩子说一个词或发出一个声音时，你可以重复并加一点点新词进去，这样可以帮助他们听到更完整的句子。

怎么做：

• 孩子说：「车车」

• 你可以说：「车车！红色的车车」或「车车开得真快」

哪怕孩子只会发出「咕咕」或「啊啊」这样的声音，你也可以用真实的词回应他们，帮他们建立语言的桥梁。

🧠 3. 使用简单的语言

想象你是孩子的「语言镜子」，用他们能理解的语言跟他们对话，语言越简单、越清晰，他们越容易跟上。

怎么做：

• 与其说：「我们把玩具收起来吧，因为马上要吃午饭了」

• 不如说：「收玩具，吃饭了！」

别担心太简单，其实孩子越小越需要清晰、重复的语言输入。

❓ 4. 多问开放式问题

开放式问题能鼓励孩子表达更多想法，而不仅仅是「是」或「不是」的回答。

怎么做：

• 与其问：「你喜欢这个吗？」

• 可以问：「你喜欢它哪里？」或「你觉得它像什么？」

就算孩子还说不出完整句子，也可以用动作、眼神来回应你，这也是沟通的一部分！

🌟 5. 创造沟通的机会

设置一些轻松的小「挑战」，让孩子有动力去表达，不管是用词、声音还是手势。

怎么做：

• 提供选择：「你想吃苹果🍎，还是香蕉🍌？」

• 玩游戏时，假装卡住一下，等待孩子开口帮忙

你不是在“测试”他，而是在给他一个练习表达的机会，帮助他更主动地发出声音或语言。

🎙️ 6. 一边做事一边说话

你就是孩子最好的语言老师。日常生活中，边做边说，能帮助孩子把动作和语言连接起来。

怎么做：

• 换衣服时说：「穿裤子，一条腿，两条腿。拉拉链～」

• 做饭时说：「我在洗菜，现在把它放进锅里。」

哪怕他们还不会回应，这些语言也在悄悄被吸收。

🧡 温柔提醒

如果你的孩子说话比别的孩子慢一点，不代表他们不聪明或不愿意说。每个大脑都有自己的节奏。有些孩子只是需要多一点时间、多一点支持。

如果你有担心，也可以联系语言治疗师，提早的支持对孩子语言发展会有很大的帮助。

💬 小小建议

你不需要一直「教」孩子说话。只要每天多说、多玩、多连接，你的声音、你的陪伴，就是孩子最强大的学习资源。

📩 欢迎分享给其他家庭

如果这篇文章对你有帮助，欢迎订阅我们的部落格，也可以转发给你身边有小孩的朋友。让每个家庭都知道：孩子说话慢，不是你的错，也不是他们的错，而是他们的节奏不同而已。