Welcome to our monthly newsletter with tips and strategies to get your toddler talking! Each month you will get a core word to model for your child with ideas for home practice activities. You will also receive a book &/or toy recommendation of the month and a tip or strategy of the month to boost your child's language development. Let's get to it and help your late talker to bloom this spring!
✨P.S. Read all the way to the end to hear about a brand new program launching in June to support your baby’s speech and language skills before delays show up!
🔤Core Word: "Go"
“Go” is a powerful and highly motivating core word to model with your child. It’s simple, functional, and can be used across so many daily routines — from getting dressed to playing with bubbles or taking a walk. Because “go” often signals action or movement, it empowers your child to make things happen, which is super rewarding and encourages more communication.
Here are 5 activity ideas to practice the word “go”:
Bubble Time – Hold the bubble wand up and wait… then say, “Ready, set… GO!” before blowing bubbles. Pause again and encourage your child to say or sign “go” for another round.
Toy Races – Use cars, animals, or any wheeled toys. Line them up and say “GO!” to start a race. Pause for your child to take the lead with the word.
Outdoor Walks – Narrate transitions like “Let’s go outside,” or “Time to go up the hill!” This pairs a familiar word with real movement and routine.
Books or Songs with “Go” – Sing songs like “Wheels on the Bus” and emphasize “go” each time it comes up: “The people on the bus go...”
Obstacle Course or Movement Games – Set up a simple indoor course (pillows, tunnels, or tape lines) and say “GO” each time your child takes a turn or makes a move.
The beauty of “go” is that it pairs naturally with excitement and action — making it a high-impact word to model every day.
📚 Book Recommendation:
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
This silly, spring-fresh story follows Duck as he goes on a bike through the farmyard, greeting all the animals.
✅ Repetitive action words and movement scenes
✅ Opportunities to model “go,” “stop,” and animal sounds
✅ Bright, engaging illustrations keep toddlers interested
How to use it:
Say things like, “Duck goes fast!” or “He’s going to the pig!” Pause before turning the page and encourage your child to say “go!” to see what happens next. Remember, you don’t have to read every word — feel free to simplify the story, talk about the pictures, and follow your child’s lead!
Click here to purchase on Amazon
🧸Toy Recommendation:
Fisher-Price Helpful Neighbor’s Garage Playset with Spiral Ramp & Cars
These small, easy-to-grasp cars are perfect for go play. Have your child push them down ramps or along a path as you model phrases like:
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“Go car!”
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“Let’s make it GO!”
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“1, 2, 3... GO!”
You can also play chase with the cars or have races with siblings or caregivers to keep it interactive and language-rich.
Click here to purchase on Amazon
💡Tip of the month:
Use Predictable Routines to Support Core Words like “Go”
Predictable routines offer structure and repetition — the perfect recipe for learning new words! When children can anticipate what’s coming next, they’re more likely to participate using words or gestures.
Here are ways to use “go” in predictable routines throughout the day:
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Morning Routine: “Time to GO brush teeth!”
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Car Time: “Let’s GO to school!”
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Bath Time: “Ready, set, GO!” with water play
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Play Time: “Make it GO!” with spinning tops or push toys
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Bedtime: “GO get your pajamas” or “GO read a book”
By using the same phrases each day, your child starts to recognize the pattern — and may surprise you by filling in the word themselves!
🐾Ralphie's Reminder:
Little words can lead to big progress — especially when they’re part of your everyday routine!
This week, try using the word “go” in the same way every time you do an activity your child loves. Whether it’s blowing bubbles, starting a song, or heading out the door, consistent repetition makes the word easier to learn.
🐶 Ralphie’s favorite way to practice “go”? Waiting for “Ready, set… GO!” before sprinting after his ball in the yard (or the OT gym)!
📣Coming in June: Bright Beginnings
A Babble Bootcamp Approach to Preventing Speech-Language Disorders!
Are you wondering how to support your baby’s speech and language before delays show up?
Babble Bootcamp is a proactive, systematic intervention for babies as young as 2 months old — created by a team of speech-language pathologists to prevent, rather than remediate, speech and language disorders.
Delivered via teletherapy, this parent-led program gives you the tools to boost your baby’s language (almost from day one) with simple activities that can be easily incoporated into your daily routine.
This progam is ideal for:
✅Babies with a family history of speech-language disorders, particularly babies with siblings who have speech-language disorders.
✅Babies born with a known risk of developing speech-language disorders (e.g., due to diagnoses such as Down Syndrome or classic galactosemia).
✨ Email us at [email protected] if you would like to enroll!
Looking for more support?
Click here to learn more about our self-paced online courses and parent workbook.
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Email [email protected] with any questions!
Keep Learning!
--Amy
©Let's Talk Learning Academy, April 2025
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