How to Help Your Child Start Communication: 5 Strategies to Build Initiation

Learn how to help your toddler become more confident at starting play and communication through simple, everyday strategies that encourage initiation.

Does your child wait for you to start everything?

Maybe they copy what you do but rarely start an activity themselves, or they have words but don't often use them to start an interaction.

Communication isn't only about responding to someone else. Children also need to learn how to start an interaction, get someone's attention, ask for something, share an idea, or show someone what they have discovered.

When children learn that their actions can get a response from another person, they begin to understand that they can make communication happen.

What research tells us?

Initiation is an important part of social communication. Starting an interaction gives children opportunities to practise expressing their wants, sharing attention, asking for help, and introducing ideas.

For children who are still developing their communication skills, creating opportunities for them to initiate can be more meaningful than adults doing everything for them. Small pauses and predictable situations can give children a reason to communicate.

The goal is not to pressure a child to speak. It is to help them experience the connection between “I do something” and “someone responds.” Over time, these experiences can support confidence and more intentional communication.

What activities can you do?

Create small opportunities for your child to start. During a favourite game, pause before continuing and wait. Your child might reach, look at you, make a sound, or use a gesture. Respond straight away so they learn that their action can make something happen.

Give your child the first move during play. Put a favourite toy nearby and wait rather than immediately starting the activity yourself. When your child picks it up, moves it, or brings it to you, respond warmly and join them.

Create simple problems that encourage your child to involve you. Put a favourite toy or snack inside a container and wait. If your child tries to open it, brings it to you, or looks at you, respond to their attempt and help.

You can also encourage your child to share attention. If they notice something interesting, wait for them to look at you, point, smile, or show you before responding. Once they are initiating, you can begin adding simple words such as “More banana” or “Open door.”

Watch the video

In this video, we explore 5 simple strategies to help children start play and communication. You'll learn how to create opportunities for your child to initiate, give them more control during play, encourage shared attention, and gradually attach simple language to their communication attempts.

These strategies can help children move from waiting for others to start interactions towards confidently showing, asking, sharing, and communicating what they want.