Language Activities for 12-18 Months Toddlers

Around their first birthday, many children say their first recognizable words. Between 12 and 18 months, vocabulary grows rapidly and your toddler begins to understand far more than they can say. These activities encourage word production and help build the bridge from gestures to sentences.

15 activities

Animal Sound Game

Name animals and make their sounds together.
1. Use a book with animal pictures, toy animals, or just your voice.
2. Point to or hold up an animal and name it: "Look, a cow!"
3. Make the animal sound: "A cow says moooo!"
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Animal book or toy animals
Easy

First Words Practice

Repeat and celebrate every word your toddler attempts.
1. Listen carefully for your child's word attempts — "ba" for ball, "da" for dog, "muh" for milk.
2. When you hear an attempt, immediately confirm it: "Ball! Yes, that's a ball! You said ball!"
3. Say the word back clearly and slowly so your child hears the correct version.
... See full activity in the app
Easy

What's This?

Point to everyday objects and name them during daily routines.
1. During any routine — getting dressed, eating, playing — point to objects and name them clearly.
2. "Shoe! This is your shoe. Let's put on your shoe."
3. Pause after naming and look at your child expectantly — they may try to repeat the word.
... See full activity in the app
Easy

Book Talk

Read simple picture books and let your toddler point and name.
1. Choose a board book with one clear picture per page — animals, vehicles, food, or everyday objects.
2. Point to the picture and name it: "Cat! It's a cat. Meow!"
3. Ask your child: "What's this?" and wait 5 seconds for any sound attempt.
... See full activity in the app
Board book with clear pictures
Easy

Mealtime Words

Name foods, utensils, and actions during every meal.
1. At mealtime, name every food as you offer it: "Banana! Here's your banana. Banana is yellow."
2. Name utensils and containers: "Spoon! Cup! Bowl! Plate!"
3. Use action words: "Eat! You're eating. Drink! You're drinking."
... See full activity in the app
Moderate

Body Part Song

Sing songs about body parts while touching each one.
1. Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" while touching each body part on yourself.
2. Then touch your child's body parts as you sing: "Head!" (touch their head) "Shoulders!" (touch shoulders).
3. Pause before the last word of each line and see if your child fills in or touches the right spot.
... See full activity in the app
Moderate

More Please

Teach your toddler request words: more, up, help, all done.
1. When your child reaches for something, model the word: "More? You want MORE crackers? Say more!"
2. Wait 3-5 seconds for any attempt. Even "muh" or a sign language gesture counts.
3. Immediately give them what they asked for: "You said more! Here's more!"
... See full activity in the app
Moderate

Outside Words

Name everything you see during walks and outdoor play.
1. Take your child for a walk around the neighborhood or to a park.
2. Point to things and name them: "Tree! Big tree. Dog! A brown dog. Car! Red car going fast!"
3. Wait for your child to point at something and immediately name it: "Bird! You see a bird!"
... See full activity in the app
Moderate

Story Retell

After reading a familiar book, let your toddler "tell" the story back.
1. Choose a book your child has heard many times — one they know well.
2. Open to the first page and instead of reading, ask: "What happened?" or "Who is this?"
3. Wait for any response — a point, a word, a sound. Accept everything as storytelling.
... See full activity in the app
Well-loved familiar board book
Advanced

Feelings Narrator

Name emotions as they happen in real time
1. When your child expresses an emotion, name it immediately.
2. Happy: "You are smiling! You look happy! That toy is fun!"
3. Frustrated: "You are frustrated. That is hard. Let me help."
... See full activity in the app
Moderate

Follow My Words

Give simple one-step instructions for baby to follow
1. Start with familiar actions: "Give me the ball."
2. Hold out your hand to make the instruction clear.
3. If your child does it, celebrate: "You gave me the ball! Thank you!"
... See full activity in the app
familiar toys and objects
Moderate

Silly Sound Play

Make funny sounds and noises together
1. Make a silly sound: blow a raspberry, click your tongue, pop your cheeks.
2. Watch your child's reaction — surprise, laughter, or imitation.
3. If they try to copy, celebrate: "You did it! Silly sound!"
... See full activity in the app
Advanced

Where Is Teddy?

Use spatial words while hiding and finding a toy
1. Take a favorite stuffed animal and hide it in an obvious spot: "Where did Teddy go?"
2. Let your child find it.
3. Name where it was: "Teddy was UNDER the blanket!"
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stuffed animal
Advanced

Two Word Model

Model two-word phrases during daily activities
1. Throughout the day, use short two-word phrases to describe what is happening.
2. "More milk." "Big dog." "Daddy gone." "Shoe on."
3. Emphasize both words clearly: "MORE milk."
... See full activity in the app
Advanced

Walk and Talk

Narrate everything you see during a walk outside
1. Take your child for a walk — in a stroller or walking together.
2. Point to everything you see and name it: "Look, a tree! A big green tree!"
3. Describe what is happening: "The car is driving. The bird is flying."
... See full activity in the app
Advanced

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