Beyond 'Please' and 'Thank You': Teaching First Words That Matter

By Caroline Flinn, M.S., CCC-SLP

In the early stages of speech development, don’t worry too much about teaching manners like 'please' and 'thank you'—those will come with time! Instead, focus on helping your little one build their vocabulary by labeling everyday objects in their environment. Point to their favorite toy and say its name, describe the food they’re eating, or name the people around them. Encourage them to imitate you, and when they do—get excited! Your enthusiasm helps build their confidence and makes learning fun. Every word they say is a step toward stronger communication!