This week, I’m keeping Communication Starts Today Tip #6 short and practical.

Today we’re talking about EXPAND—taking what your child already communicates and modeling one small step beyond it.

Your child says:

“Ball.”

You might respond:

“Big ball!”

And as you continue playing:

“Bounce the ball!”
“Roll ball!”

Expansion is not about making your child repeat a longer phrase.

It’s about giving them a simple, useful language model that connects directly to what they’re already interested in and communicating about.

Remember:

Hear it. Add one. Keep it going.

This is just the quick version. I want to give this strategy the time and attention it deserves, so the extended Tip #6 episode will be out next Tuesday with a deeper explanation, more everyday examples, and practical ways to use expansion naturally during routines and play.

🎁 Download my FREE 13-page Communication Starts Today guide:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/A5sts7p

Follow The Practical Therapist so the extended episode is waiting for you next Tuesday.

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.

👉 GET YOUR FREE 13-PAGE GUIDE:
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.

🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday!