Everyday Language Learning: Bath Time 

Every day routines are the perfect opportunity to help your toddler develop language skills! If your  little one has delayed expressive or receptive language, you can turn any daily routine into a language-learning opportunity. Here are some tips to build vocabulary, encourage communication,  and strengthen language comprehension—all while splashing in the tub! 

1. Pick 3-5 Words to Model 

Bath time is filled with items and actions that offer natural language exposure as well as face-to face time with your child. Use single words to name objects or actions: soap, bubbles, duck, water,  clean. Describe what’s happening with action words: pour, wash, splash, scrub, pop, up/down  (moving toys in and out of water), on/off (for the water). Repeating these words consistently helps  build vocabulary. Once your child is confident with single words, try combining two words that they  already know like water off. 

2. Use Simple Choices 

Encourage communication by offering choices. Hold up two items and ask, Do you want the duck  or the boat? If your toddler isn’t using words yet, they can point or gesture. Model the words:  “Duck!” “Boat!” and then give the item to your child. This helps them build cause and effect  relationships between using gestures or words and getting a desired item. You can also offer  choices for actions: “Do you want to splash or pour?” 

3. Sing Songs and Use Routines 

Songs like Rub-a-Dub-Dub or This is the Way We Wash Our Hands introduce new words in a fun,  engaging way. Try inserting target words into familiar tunes: “Wash, wash, wash your hands, scrub  them nice and clean!” Repeating the same routine—First, we wash your hair. Now, we rinse it off.— helps toddlers understand sequencing and expect what comes next. 

4. Play with Sounds and Imitation 

Make fun noises: “Splish! Splash! Pop! Brrr!” Encourage your toddler to mimic sounds, which is a  foundational skill for speech. Use words for water actions: “Drip drip!” “Swish swish!” “Plop!” If they  aren’t talking yet, imitate their sounds and gestures to keep the interaction going. 

5. Expand Their Words 

If your toddler says “bubbles”, build on it: “Yes! Big bubbles! Pop bubbles!” If they say “duck”,  respond with “Yellow duck! Swim duck! Duck says quack!” Expanding on their words helps them  learn new sentence structures naturally. 

6. Follow Their Interests 

If your child is focused on pouring water, talk about it! “You’re pouring water in the cup! The cup is  full! Now, the cup is empty!” If they enjoy squeezing a sponge, narrate: “Squeeze the sponge! The  water is dripping out! Drip, drip, drip.” Following their lead keeps language learning meaningful and  fun. 

Consistency is Key

You don’t need fancy toys or a long duration of time to make a difference—just everyday  conversations and interactions. With patience and repetition, bath time can become a fun and  relaxing way to boost your toddler’s language skills!