Verbal Routines to Get Your Toddler Talking | Speech Development Tips
- Jan 22, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Verbal Routines to Get Your Toddler Talking (Speech Development Guide)
Creating verbal routines to get your toddler talking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost early sp
These routines help children learn words through repetition, predictability, and daily interaction.
What Are Verbal Routines?
Verbal routines are repeated words or phrases used consistently during daily activities to help children learn language through repetition.
VERBAL ROUTINES consist of words that are repeated at a predictable time during an activity. A verbal routine occurs any time a person says the same words, in the same way, for the same things, every time a specific activity occurs.
Introducing Verbal routines in your daily set of activities can be a great way to promote speech and language skills of your young child in his everyday life.
Why Verbal Routines Help Toddlers Talk
Verbal routines improve speech by strengthening memory, word association, and communication confidence.
Verbal routines and repetition help words stick in a child’s auditory and working memory. The more a child hears the same words in a specific context, the better they understand and eventually use them.
Simple Verbal Routine Examples for Everyday Activities
A common Verbal routine that all mothers can use at any time is “Get Set Go” or “One, Two Three Start” You can use this verbal routine in a variety of situations like before pushing the swing, before starting to eat, before singing a song, before starting to dance, before giving your child a bath.. etc
How to Use Verbal Routines Effectively
As your child learns these routines, you can PAUSE at key points to see if they can fill the gap by speaking out the missing words.
You can create your own Verbal Routines depending on your schedule and interests.
You can use this sheet to make your own Verbal Routines. Writing them down will help stick them in your mind so that you can use them while running your day with your child.
Daily Verbal Routine Examples (Structured for Easy Use)
Activity | Repeated Phrase |
Waking up | Good morning, wake up time / Rise and shine |
Bath time | Let’s clean up, time for bath |
Dressing | Let’s get dressed / Get ready for the day |
Meals | I am hungry / Breakfast time |
Napping | Let’s take a nap |
Going out | Let’s go out in the car |
Playing | Let’s play together |
Praying | Fold your hands / Say a prayer |
Bedtime | Good night / Sleepy time |
Verbal Routines and Repetitions help in sticking the words in your child’s auditory and working memory. The more a child hears the same words in a particular context, the better he associates with what is being said to him. Chances are that after hearing the same word again and again in a language stimulating context he might start speaking those words when given an opportunity like when paused for him to fill the blank or when asked a question.
Fun Verbal Routine Activities for Toddlers
Play-Based Speech Activities:
Bubble Play: “Bubble bubble blow… POP!”
Play Dough: “Sticky dough… roll roll!”
Doll Play: “Pretty dolly… cuddle & squeeze!”
Car Play: “Beep beep… car goes beep!”
These fun routines make learning natural and engaging.
Songs That Use Verbal Routines
Many Songs are repetitive in nature and have Verbal Routines.
Repetitive songs are excellent for speech development:
SOld MacDonald Had a Farm
Wheels on the Bus
This is the Way I Brush My Teeth
Ants Go Marching
Jelly on the Plate
Books That Encourage Verbal Routines
Many Books use this concept of verbal routines.Books with repetition help toddlers learn faster
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin and Eric Carle Panda Bear Panda Bear by Bill Martin and Eric Carle Cat the Cat Who is That? by Mo Willems. Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen Pete the Cat: I love my White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Who Can Benefit from Verbal Routines?
Establishing Verbal routines can also be great for children with Speech-Language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other childhood communication difficulties.
Establishing verbal routines can be highly effective for:
Conclusion: Helping Your Toddler Talk with Verbal Routines
Using verbal routines consistently in daily life can significantly improve your toddler’s speech and communication skills. With repetition, patience, and playful interaction, children gradually begin to understand and use language confidently.
FAQ Section
What are verbal routines in speech therapy?
They are repeated phrases used during daily activities to help children learn language.
How do verbal routines help toddlers talk?
They improve memory, word recognition, and encourage speech through repetition.
At what age should a toddler start talking?
Most toddlers start speaking words by 12–18 months and phrases by 2 years.
What if my toddler is not talking yet?
Consult a speech therapist if delays persist beyond expected milestones.
Are verbal routines effective for speech delay?
Yes, they are highly effective when used consistently.
Can verbal routines help autistic children?
Yes, they provide structure and predictability which supports communication.
How often should I use verbal routines?
Daily, during regular activities like meals, play, and bedtime.
What are examples of verbal routines?
“Get set go”, “time to eat”, “good night” used repeatedly.
Do songs help with speech development?
Yes, repetitive songs enhance language learning.
Can I create my own verbal routines?
Yes, personalized routines based on your child’s interests work best.
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