Speech Therapy WITHOUT Toys: Simple Ways to Build Language at Home
Hi, I’m Eliana, a bilingual (English/Spanish) pediatric speech-language pathologist and owner of Monarch Speech and Language Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
I’m passionate about helping families feel confident in supporting their child’s communication at home, without stress, guilt, or the need for expensive toys. I truly believe that language learning happens in the simple, everyday moments we share with our kids.
If you’ve ever felt pressure to buy the latest “educational” toys or create picture-perfect Pinterest activities, take a deep breath, you don’t need them. The truth is, some of the best language learning happens during daily routines like getting dressed, eating meals, bath time, running errands, and playing outside.
The first step? Slow down! You don’t need to be perfect. Your child doesn’t need perfection. What they need is you! Present, engaged, and talking in ways that feel natural. Consistency beats perfection every time.
How to Slow Down and Include Your Child
Slowing down doesn’t mean clearing your schedule. It means turning ordinary moments into connection. For example, instead of rushing through breakfast, invite your child to help stir the eggs or pour the cereal. When folding laundry, let them hand you socks or name the colors. Cooking dinner? Give them a safe job like washing vegetables or stirring with a wooden spoon. At the store, ask them to help find the apples or count items as you put them in the cart. These little invitations turn chores into learning opportunities and give your child the chance to hear new words, practice taking turns, and feel included.
Why Everyday Routines Work
Routines are predictable. When your child knows what’s coming next, they feel safe and can focus on words, actions, and people instead of worrying about what happens next. Plus, routines repeat every day, which means built-in practice!
This works no matter your culture or language. Talk to your child in the language you know best—whether it’s English, Spanish, Vietnamese, or any language spoken in your home. Research shows a strong foundation in your home language helps with learning other languages later.
Simple Language Strategies That Work Anywhere
Follow Their Lead – Talk about what your child notices. If they point to the bubbles, say: “Bubbles! Pop, pop, pop!”
Narrate Life – Describe what you’re doing: “I’m washing the apple. Wash, wash, wash.”
Repeat & Expand – If your child says “milk,” you say: “Yes, milk. Cold milk!”
Pause & Wait – Give them time to respond—count to five in your head.
Offer Choices – “Do you want the blue cup or the red cup?”
Use Your Home Language – Language builds best through love and connection.
Involve Your Children in Daily Routines & Watch it Turn into Natural Language Lessons
Getting Ready:
“Shirt on! One arm, two arms.”
“First pants, then shoes.”
Offer choices: “Jeans or shorts?”
Mealtime:
“Rice. Yummy rice!”
“Do you want more apple?”
“This soup is warm.”
Bath Time:
“Splash! Big splash!”
“Wash your hands, wash your feet.”
“Pour the water. All gone!”
At the Store:
“Bananas! Yellow bananas.”
“Put the milk in the cart.”
“Hi! Bye!” at checkout.
At the Park:
“Climb. Slide. Swing high!”
“You are running so fast.”
“My turn, your turn.”
Remember
You don’t need toys to play! A box becomes a car, a blanket becomes a cape, a spoon becomes a microphone. The most important part of play isn’t the toy, it’s YOU. The truth is, YOU are your child’s best teacher. You don’t need special toys or complicated activities. Your voice, your love, and your everyday routines are more than enough! Every meal, every bath, every giggle at the park is an opportunity for connection and learning. Keep showing up, keep talking, and celebrate the small wins. Language growth is a journey, and you’re doing an amazing job walking it together. Speech therapy isn’t about expensive toys, it’s about connection! Every little moment matters. Your voice, your words, your love. That’s what helps your child’s language grow!
With love,
Eliana Provenzano-Lewis, M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner & Lead Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist
Monarch Speech and Language Institute, Tulsa, OK
