Summary of "What Your Toddler Needs to Express Themselves Clearly (Part 2)" – Episode 114 of Talking Toddlers

Podcast Information:

• Title: Talking Toddlers
• Host: Erin Hyer
• Episode: What Your Toddler Needs to Express Themselves Clearly (Part 2) Ep 114
• Release Date: July 29, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 114 of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 35 years of experience, continues her comprehensive two-part series on the "Four Pillars of Speech and Language Development." This episode focuses on the third and fourth pillars: Expressive Language Skills and Speech Sound Development. Erin aims to provide parents with actionable strategies to support their toddlers' communication abilities and to identify early signs of speech and language delays.

1. Overview of Pillars Three and Four

Erin begins by recapping the foundational pillars:

• Pillar 1: Social Interaction – Emphasizing the importance of building connections through smiling, eye contact, and responsive interactions.
• Pillar 2: Understanding Language – Highlighting that comprehension precedes expression and that words must carry meaningful context.

Key Insight: "If your toddler is two and still not talking, it's not because he's stubborn and no, it's not something that he'll just grow out of." [01:13]

2. Expressive Language Skills

Communicative Intent and Gestures

Expressive language goes beyond verbal communication, encompassing gestures and non-verbal cues that toddlers use to express their needs and emotions.

Notable Quote: "Communicative intent is your child demonstrating that they're trying to connect with you... they're trying to express something even when they're just grunting or whining or pointing. That's all human communication." [05:10]

The 16 Gestures by 16 Months

Erin introduces the "16 Gestures by 16 Months," a research-based checklist indicating typical gesture use by age 16 months. Gestures such as waving, pointing, clapping, and blowing kisses are critical precursors to spoken language.

Notable Quote: "These are typically developing average kids that they should be using 16 gestures by 16 months. That's pretty easy to remember." [06:05]

Imitation and Baby Sign Language

Encouraging imitation of gestures and the use of baby sign language can reduce frustration and empower toddlers to communicate more effectively.

Notable Quote: "Baby signs are part of this gesture packet... embed them in this 16 gestures by 16 months. And so all of it is really rich precursors to spoken language." [11:39]

3. Speech Sound Development

Understanding Speech Sound Development

Speech sounds are the physical components of talking, involving coordinated mouth movements to produce sounds that form words and sentences.

Red Flags in Speech Sound Development

Erin outlines key red flags indicating potential speech sound delays:

• Limited Use of Consonants by Age Two: If a child uses only a few consonants like M or B, it may indicate a problem.
• Dropping Consonants Beyond Age Two: Simplifying complex sounds such as "truck" to "tuck" or "monkey" to "mongee" is concerning if persistent.
• Lack of Two-Syllable Words by Age Two: Words like "cupcake" or "snowman" should be present by this age.
• Excessive Use of Jargon Beyond Two Years: Speech should become increasingly intelligible, moving away from nonsensical sounds.

Notable Quote: "If you have a child, say one year to two years, and they have a few consonants... then that is a speech problem that you need to take a closer look at." [25:34]

Debunking Gender Myths

Contrary to popular belief, boys do not inherently develop speech and language skills slower than girls. However, boys are often more frequently identified and identified earlier due to more overt behavioral signs.

Notable Quote: "Boys tend to be the squeaky wheel... Girls tend to also mask a lot of their challenges with speech and language." [39:02]

4. Strategies to Support Speech Clarity at Home

Erin provides five actionable recommendations for parents:

1. Don’t Wait: Seek Help Early

   • Gather information and consult with professionals if speech delays are suspected.

2. Use Simple, Clear Language

   • Model correct sounds and clear speech without overcomplicating phrases.

3. Make It Fun

   • Incorporate play, animal noises, and nursery rhymes to engage toddlers in speech.

4. Create Opportunities for Face-to-Face Interaction

   • Ensure toddlers can see mouth movements and facial expressions during communication.

5. Avoid Formal Drills

   • Keep speech practice natural and playful rather than rigid and drill-based.

Notable Quote: "Small things done consistently every single day make the biggest difference." [59:49]

5. Key Takeaways and Encouragement

Erin emphasizes the importance of meeting children at their current developmental stage and supporting each layer of their communication system. Consistent, intentional interaction fosters progress and reduces frustration for both parents and children.

Final Quote: "If you focus on the wrong stage, you'll likely see very little progress and more frustration for you and your child." [58:00]

Conclusion

Erin Hyer’s Episode 114 of Talking Toddlers offers invaluable insights and practical tools for parents aiming to support their toddlers’ expressive language and speech sound development. By recognizing developmental milestones, identifying red flags early, and implementing proactive strategies, parents can create a nurturing, language-rich environment that promotes clear and confident communication in their children.

Additional Resources:

• Vocabulary Building Guide: [Link provided in the podcast]
• 16 Gestures by 16 Months Packet: [Available through the podcast's resources]
• Tiny Challenge Program: [Link provided for one-on-one support]

Encouragement to Listeners: "If you have found today's episode helpful, please share it with another friend. You could also leave a rating on Apple Podcasts because that really helps me reach more moms just like you."

Final Thought: "Remember to keep talking, keep playing, and keep connecting with your little ones at every one of these levels because your child is listening and they want to be there with you."