When your child can say or sign a few common words, the next goal is simple: help them collect more kinds of words, not just more words.
Most toddlers start with nouns (people, places, things). That’s great, but to build phrases like “more milk” or “Daddy go,” they also need:
- Action words (verbs): go, eat, open
- Location words (prepositions): up, in, out
- Describing words (adjectives/adverbs): big, hot, fast
- Social words: please, again, all done
Many children begin using short phrases when their vocabulary is around 50 words (spoken, signed, or a mix). The exact number is not a rule, but the idea is real: phrases happen faster when your child has a bigger word toolbox. If you want a quick, parent friendly milestone reference, the CDC has a helpful guide here: CDC toddler milestones.
If your child is not talking yet but is signing well, awesome. Keep expanding signs the same way you would spoken words.
What “Counts” as a Word?
A word counts if your child uses it on purpose and it means the same thing most times:
- Spoken word: “ba” for ball, “wa wa” for water
- Sign: more, milk, eat
- Gesture: pointing to the fridge for milk (this is communication and a great sign)
The goal is not perfect pronunciation. The goal is connection and meaning. ASHA also has a clear milestone overview you can compare against without overthinking it: ASHA communication milestones.
The Fastest Way to Grow Vocabulary (Without Flashcards)
1) Say less, repeat more
Pick 5 to 10 target words for the week and use them everywhere.
Example: more, open, go, up, eat, help, all done.
2) One word ahead
If your child says “car,” you say:
- “Big car!”
- “Car go!”
- “Red car!”
If your child already says “car go,” you go one step ahead:
- “Car go fast!”
3) Put words on what they are doing
Narrate real life:
- “Wash hands.”
- “Open door.”
- “Shoes on.”
4) Make daily routines your language lessons
Routines repeat, so words stick. If you want more easy, everyday ideas for building language through play and routines, Mayo Clinic has a simple guide here: Mayo Clinic language development tips.
- Bath time: wash, wet, towel, bubbles, hot, cold
- Meals: eat, drink, more, all done, spoon, cup
- Getting out: shoes, on, off, go, car, buckle
5) Offer choices (easy win)
Instead of “What do you want?” try:
- “Milk or water?”
- “Apple or banana?”
Choices create natural reasons to use words.
The First 100 to 150 Words (By Category)
Social and “Power” Words
more, please, thank you, hi/hello, bye bye, again, sorry, uh oh, yes/okay, no, mine, help, wait, stop, go, all done, all gone, good job
Action Words (Verbs)
Eat, drink, go, come, stop, run, jump, walk, sit, stand, sleep, wake up, wash, kiss, hug, open, close, push, pull, throw, catch, give, take, make, break/broke, fix, fall, ride, climb, swing, slide, dance, tickle, hurt, cry, laugh, look, see, watch, listen, read, draw/color
Location Words (Prepositions)
up, down, in, out, on, off, here, there, under, over, behind, inside, outside, next to
Describing Words (Adjectives and Adverbs)
big, little, hot, cold, loud, quiet, fast, slow, yucky, yummy, wet, dry, soft, hard, clean, dirty, gentle, scary, funny, silly, heavy, light, broken
Colors: red, blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, purple, black, white, brown
Numbers (early): 1, 2, 3
Early Pronouns
I, me, my, mine, you, your, it, we (he/she often comes later)
Common Nouns Toddlers Love
People
mama, dada, baby, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, names for caregivers and pets
Food and drink
milk, water, juice, apple, banana, cookie, cracker, cereal, cheese, rice, egg, snack
Home and everyday items
ball, book, car, truck, train, bike, bubbles, spoon, cup, bowl, diaper, wipes, sock, shoe, shirt, pants, hat, blanket, bed, chair, table, bath, towel, brush, light
Animals
Dog, cat, fish, bird, duck, cow, horse, bunny, bear, pig, lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, monkey, frog, snake, butterfly, bee
Places
home, park, school, store, car, outside
If Your Child Uses Signs, Keep Going
Signing is not “a shortcut.” It is a bridge.
A simple way to expand signs is to add:
- one new action sign (open, help)
- one new social sign (please, again)
- one describing sign (big, hot)
Then practice those signs during daily routines.
Quick Games That Teach Words Fast
The “Pause” trick
Say a familiar phrase and pause:
- “Ready, set…” (pause for “go!”)
Put toys in a container
Ask:
- “Open?”
- “In?”
- “Out?”
Read the same book all week
Repetition is your best friend.
Pick 5 words from the book and repeat them every time.
When to Get Extra Support (No Panic, Just Smart)
Kids develop at different speeds. Still, it can help to talk to your pediatrician or a speech language pathologist if (these two references are useful if you want to sanity check concerns): HealthyChildren.org on language delay and NIDCD speech and language basics.
- your child is not using gestures (pointing, waving) by around 12 months
- there are very few words or signs by around 18 months
- words are decreasing or your child stops using skills they had
- you have concerns about hearing
Getting support early is like fixing a tiny leak before it becomes a whole ceiling situation.
Tiny Reminder for Parents
- your child is not using gestures (pointing, waving) by around 12 months
- there are very few words or signs by around 18 months
- words are decreasing or your child stops using skills they had
- you have concerns about hearing
Getting support early is like fixing a tiny leak before it becomes a whole ceiling situation.
Tiny Reminder for Parents
You are not trying to raise a dictionary. You’re helping your child feel understood.
Aim for progress, not perfection.
If you want, tell me your child’s age and the words or signs they already use. I’ll suggest a simple 2 week word plan with daily routines and a short list of high impact words.