The Power of Waiting: Supporting Language Development

If you’re supporting a toddler, late talker, or early communicator, this one’s for you.

As a speech-language pathologist in Saskatoon, one of the most common things I talk about with families is how powerful waiting can be for communication development.

You may already know what your child wants without them using words, but sometimes we jump in too quickly.

Research in early language development shows that children often need extra time to process what they hear, decide what they want to communicate, and plan how to say it. When we slow down and wait, we give their brain the time it needs to do that important work.

✨ Try this at home to support your toddler’s communication:

• Create a small communication opportunity by “forgetting” something (pause before opening a snack, hand them one shoe). Wait, then model language.

• Start a familiar routine like “Ready, set…” and pause to encourage participation.

• Sing a favourite song and stop before the exciting part.

• Model a word or short phrase 2–3 times, then give plenty of wait time (e.g., “dog!”).

Get face-to-face. Look expectantly. Stay present. And remember, any response counts as communication (a look, a sound, a movement).

Waiting creates more opportunities for back-and-forth interaction, supports language development, and builds your child’s confidence as a communicator.

It’s a simple, evidence-based strategy used in speech therapy that can make a big impact at home.