How can I help my child to speak more clearly?

Once your child starts talking properly, there is a good chance he wants to say as many new words as possible. They are probably become a little bit like a small human tape recorder, copying everything they hear.

However, while toddlers delight in learning new words, sometimes, they don’t say them correctly, or clearly.

One way of helping your toddler to perfect pronunciation of all those new words is to repeat them correctly (when you understand them.) For instance, if your child says ‘kirt’ instead of ‘skirt,’ repeat the word back to them correctly. You could also try asking them to try again, although this may result in a stubborn refusal from your child.

Hearing the words said correctly often enough should help your child to master pronunciation.
Another way to help your child learn to speak more clearly is to make a game of it. Either, point to and name objects in his books, waiting for him to copy the words, or say words of your own, letting him have a try at copying them.

As with anything you are trying to teach your toddler, try to ignore mistakes and heap praise on him when he or she gets it right. Nothing motivates a toddler to learn as much as approval from mummy and daddy!