Tired of Guessing What Your Child Wants? Teach THIS Word

Learn how to teach “Want” through everyday activities and play, giving your child another simple way to communicate what they need and want.

Does your child know exactly what they want but struggle to tell you?

When children don't yet have an easy way to communicate what they want, they may point, reach, pull you towards something, cry, or become frustrated. “Want” gives them another simple way to communicate what they are asking for.

A child can communicate “Want” with a word, a sound, a gesture, a point, a look, or by taking your hand. What matters is that they have a meaningful way to show you what they want.

When children learn that they can communicate what they want, they begin to understand that their communication can help others understand them.

What research tells us?

Research on early communication shows that children benefit from having simple, functional words that can be used across everyday situations. “Want” is a useful word because it can be combined with many different people, objects, foods, and activities.

When children have a way to communicate what they want, they have another option besides reaching, grabbing, crying, or relying on adults to guess what they need.

Communication does not have to start with perfect words. It can begin with a sound, a gesture, a point, a look, a word attempt, or another meaningful way of showing what they want.

What activities can you do?

You can teach “Want” through simple everyday activities and play.

Use bubbles. Hold the bubbles and wait for your child to reach, look, or gesture. Model “Want bubbles!” and then blow the bubbles.

Try snack time. Give your child a small amount of a favourite food and pause when they want more. Model “Want strawberry” or “Want cracker” and respond to their communication.

Use favourite toys. Follow what your child is already interested in and model “Want car,” “Want teddy,” or “Want book” when they reach or point.

Pause often. Give your child time to communicate without asking them to repeat you. Any meaningful attempt counts.

Watch the video

In this video, we explore why “Want” is an important early communication word and how to teach it naturally through everyday routines and play. You'll learn how to follow your child's interests, model the word without testing them, and gradually expand their communication.

These simple strategies can help your child build a flexible way to communicate what they want.