Episode #33: What Parents Should Know About First Words (and How to Support Vocabulary Growth)
The “first words” stage is one of the most exciting parts of toddlerhood! and naturally, parents have a lot of questions. In this episode, we’re breaking down the most common things families ask us in the clinic and in our online community, along with encouragement and simple, practical ideas you can start using right away.
Rather than giving a full deep dive into what counts as a word (we already have a full guide on that), this episode focuses on the bigger picture: how early communication develops, when first words tend to show up, and how to support your toddler’s vocabulary in natural, doable ways.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
Why first words can vary widely from child to child
The early communication skills that come before talking
How to keep track of your toddler’s words
Ways to support vocabulary without adding pressure
When to seek additional support or an evaluation
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Free Toddler Milestone Checklist See which skills come before first words and what might be coming next!
What Counts as a Word? Read our in-depth explanation of early words and examples
TalkToddler Our program for parents supporting their toddlers’ language skills
✨ P.S. This is our Season 2 finale, and we’re so grateful you’re here!
If this episode helped bring clarity or encouragement, we’d love for you to leave a review… it helps more parents find our podcast and early language resources.
And as we prepare for Season 3, we’d love to hear:
→ What topics do you want us to cover next?
→ Send us a DM or email us at hello@weetalkers.com