What happens when we stop anticipating every need and create a small, natural opportunity for our children to communicate?

In this episode of The Practical Therapist, LaShonya S. Lacount explores Tip #4 from the Communication Starts Today series: Create a Reason to Communicate.

You’ll learn why small changes to everyday routines can create meaningful opportunities for interaction—without pressuring your child to talk.

We’ll use two simple examples:

🫧 Bubbles: What happens when you hand your child a closed bubble container instead of automatically opening it?

🍪 Crackers or cookies: How can giving a small amount and briefly pausing create an opportunity for your child to request more?

The goal is not to frustrate your child or require a spoken word before responding.

Communication may look like a word, sound, gesture, point, reach, look, sign, or AAC response.

Remember Tip #4:

Create the opportunity.
Pause.
Notice.
Respond.

🎁 Worried Your Toddler Isn't Talking as Much as You Expected?Start with 7 practical ways to encourage communication during the routines you're already doing every day.

Get the FREE 13-page Communication Starts Today guide, created by a speech-language pathologist for parents and caregivers.

Inside the guide, you'll discover practical ways to:

✓ Follow your child's lead
✓ Model simple language without pressuring your child to repeat
✓ Use waiting to create opportunities for communication
✓ Create natural reasons for your child to communicate
✓ Build communication into play and everyday routines

No special toys. No complicated therapy activities. Just practical strategies you can begin using at home.

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https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/A5sts7p

Communication practice doesn't have to happen at a table.

Meals. Playtime. Getting dressed. Bath time. Leaving the house.

These everyday moments can become opportunities for your child to communicate.

Follow The Practical Therapist for more practical communication strategies.

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