First words — So Fun!
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Is your child enjoying their new book?! Your custom board book is more than just a keepsake—it’s a powerful tool to encourage your little one’s first words, understanding of language, and vocabulary growth!
If you’re wondering how to help your baby or toddler start talking more, you’re in the right place.
As pediatric speech therapists, we love helping parents turn everyday moments into opportunities for language growth—and books are one of the best ways to do that.
Download Your Free First Words Milestone Checklist
Not sure what to expect when it comes to first words and beyond?
Our free milestone checklist will show you:
What to expect at each age range
The foundational skills needed for words to really grow
And more!
How to Use Your Custom Board Book to Support First Words
Your Pinhole Press board book is a great way to support language development—your child’s first words will likely be the things and people’s names you selected for their book!
Here are three ways to make reading even more interactive:
Point and label – Slowly say the names of people and objects in the book. “Grandma! Dog! Hat!”
Use fun sounds – Try “Mmm! Yummy!” for food or “Beep beep!” for a car. (This will be easy to remember to try because when you designed your book, we prompted you to add these to each page!)
Pause before naming – Instead of immediately saying the word, wait a few seconds to encourage your child to fill in the blank.
Read Next: Tips for talking with babies
What to Expect with First Words
One of the most exciting milestones is hearing them say their first words. But when should that happen? And what exactly counts as a first word?
Most babies say their first words around 12 months, but anywhere from 9–15 months is typical.
First words don’t have to be perfect—“ba” for ball or “uh-oh” totally count.
Signs and gestures count too! If your child waves “bye-bye” or signs “more,” they’re communicating.
Three Simple Ways to Encourage First Words
You’re already helping your child learn language just by talking to them throughout the day. Try these strategies to encourage even more talking:
1. Narrate Daily Routines
Talk about what’s happening: “Bath time! Let’s wash your toes.”
Keep your language slow and simple—your little one is soaking up every word.
2. Repeat & Add Fun Sounds
Words like “vroom,” “moo,” and “uh-oh” are easier to say than long words. Plus, they’re fun! So they are a great place to start.
Try saying a word several times: “Ball! Ball! You threw the ball!” Repetition helps them learn words!
3. Pause & Wait for a Response
Instead of asking lots of questions, pause and look at your child expectantly.
Example: Hold up a snack and wait—see if they make a sound or attempt a word before automatically giving it to them.
If they don’t respond, model gestures and words for them that fit the moment. This is supposed to be a zero-pressure strategy—we want to give kids the opportunity to communicate, but we don’t want to withhold things from them until they “say the word.”
Read: A parent’s guide to teaching first words
Download: Free First Words Milestone Checklist
Want More Support?
more wee Talkers resources created just for you
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Our blog is full of articles to explore. This might be a fun one to start with: Choosing Library Books for Babies and Toddlers
about wee talkers
Carly Tulloch, M.A., CCC-SLP and Katie Sterbenz, M.S., CCC-SLP, are pediatric speech language therapists with over 25+ years of combined experience, but first and foremost, they’re parents–just like you. Between them, they have six kids and they all have unique and different needs.
Katie is licensed in Arizona and holds a Master’s degree from Arizona State University. With over 13 years of experience, she has worked in hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice settings. Carly, licensed in British Columbia, has over 15 years of experience and holds a Master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. She is certified in PROMPT (levels 1 and 2) and has completed Hanen’s It Takes Two To Talk and More Than Words training programs.
As moms and professionals, they understand the challenges parents face. They believe you should never have to navigate your child’s development alone. They’re here to show you how helping your child talk and communicate more can be both doable and fun. You can do this!
You can connect with Katie and Carly on instagram and in Wee Talkers’ programs and memberships.