Easy ways to grow your child’s words — woven into your day. These quick activities help your child understand more, say more, and put words together. No prep, no special materials — just a few minutes during play, meals, or a walk.
Speak your home language. If your family speaks Spanish (or any language), use it — a strong first language helps your child learn, and it does not slow down English.
Quick activities to try
Pick one. Repeat it for a few days. These take five minutes or less.
- Requesting
Two-Choice Questions
Hold up two things: “Milk or water?” Wait for any answer — a word, a point, a look — then say it back: “Water! You want water.”
- Vocabulary
Narrate & Name
Name what your child sees and does as it happens, and add one describing word: “big truck,” “cold milk,” “wet hands.”
- Comprehension
Book Talk
Don’t just read — talk. Point and ask “What’s that?” and “What’s happening?” Connect the page to your child’s own life.
- Listening
Following Directions
Make it a game: “Put the cup ON the table.” Start with one step, then build to two: “Get your shoes AND your hat.”
- Word groups
Category Hunt
Pick a group — animals, food, things that go — and take turns naming as many as you can on a walk or at the store.
- Sentences
Finish My Sentence
Start a familiar phrase and pause: “Ready, set, ___!” “The wheels on the bus go ___.” Let your child fill in the blank.
Trusted free resources
Created by reputable organizations and free to use. Links open in a new tab.
Colorín Colorado — For Families
EN / ESBilingual, research-based activities and downloadable print guides for building language and reading at home.
Free · English & Spanish · © Colorín Colorado / WETAThe Hanen Centre — Tips for Parents
Practical, research-based tips for everyday conversation, following your child’s lead, and building vocabulary.
Free to read · © The Hanen Centre — link onlyUnite for Literacy
MultilingualFree digital picture books with narration in many languages — great for building vocabulary through shared reading.
Free · narration in Spanish & moreReading Rockets
Free articles and simple home activities for vocabulary, comprehension, and early literacy.
Free to read · © Reading Rockets / WETAFCRR Student Center Activities
Free printable rhyming, syllable, and first-sound activities (sound awareness — a foundation for talking and reading).
Free to print, unmodified, non-commercial · © FL DOE / FCRR
Not sure which activity fits your child?
Your GO Therapy speech-language pathologist can point you to the right activities for your child’s goals.
These activities support language development at home and don’t replace an evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist.