New Year’s Resolutions for Parents Supporting Their Child’s Speech & Language Development

A new year is the perfect time for simple, meaningful routines that strengthen your child’s communication skills. You don’t need special materials, long practice sessions, or a background in speech therapy—just connection, consistency, and everyday moments.

Here are some realistic, family-friendly New Year’s resolutions that help build strong speech and language foundations all year long.

1. “I Will Model, Not Pressure.”

Kids learn language by hearing it—not by being quizzed.

Try:

• Modeling the words you’d love to hear: “More juice,” “Open please,” “Look! A big truck!”

• Expanding what your child says: Child: “Dog!” → You: “Yes! A big dog!”

• Avoiding pressure questions like “Say ___!”

Your calm, patient models help your child feel confident and capable.

2. “I Will Build Language Into Our Daily Routines.”

You don’t need extra time—just talk during what you’re already doing.

Examples:

• During meals: “Cut, scoop, stir, all done.”

• During bath time: “Splash, pour, wash, bubbles!”

• During car rides: “Red light… green light… go!”

Simple repetition = strong learning.

3. “I Will Slow Down and Give My Child Time to Respond.”

Many kids need extra time to process language.

Try:

• Pausing 3–5 seconds after you ask a question

• Waiting expectantly with a smile

• Offering choices: “Milk or water?”

• Using fewer words and clearer phrases

Silence isn’t awkward—it’s powerful.

4. “I Will Follow My Child’s Lead.”

When children talk about what they find interesting, language takes off.

You can:

• Join their play (cars, dolls, trains, blocks)

• Comment on what they’re doing

• Copy their actions to build engagement

• Add fun sound effects (beep, vroom, crash, moo)

Connection first, language next.

5. “I Will Support Communication in All Forms (Speech, Gestures, Signs, AAC).”

Communication is communication.

Celebrate:

• Gestures

• Sign language

• Pointing

• Pictures

• AAC devices

• Vocalizations

• Words

Using multiple forms boosts—not blocks—speech development.

6. “I Will Listen More Than I Correct.”

Instead of fixing pronunciation or grammar on the spot, model it back correctly.

Child: “I goed park.”
Parent: “You went to the park? Fun!”

Kids learn more from models than corrections.

7. “I Will Make Reading Part of Our Daily Rhythm.”

Just 5–10 minutes a day has huge benefits.

Try:

• Letting your child turn the pages

• Pointing to pictures and naming them

• Acting out the story

• Asking simple “What do you see?” questions

• Reading the same book again (and again!)

Repetition helps the brain wire new language.

8. “I Will Use Songs and Rhymes to Build Language.”

Music supports memory, vocabulary, imitation, and articulation.

Try:

• “Wheels on the Bus”

• “Itsy Bitsy Spider”

• “Old MacDonald”

• Fingerplay songs like “Open, Shut Them”

Pause before the last word to encourage participation:
“Twinkle, twinkle little… ____?”

9. “I Will Create Opportunities for Communication.”

Set up small “communication temptations” to naturally spark language.

Examples:

• Give a little bit of snack at a time

• Put favorite toys in a clear bin they can request to open

• Pause during routines so they can fill in the action

• Offer choices often

It’s not tricking—it’s inviting!

10. “I Will Celebrate Small Wins.”

Progress in speech and language is gradual. Every new sound, gesture, word, and attempt counts.

Celebrate:

• Eye contact

• Pointing

• New sounds

• New words

• Longer phrases

• Braver conversations

Kids thrive on encouragement and connection.

A New Year Focused on Connection, Not Perfection

You don’t need to become your child’s speech therapist—you just need to be their partner in communication. Small moments, done consistently, build strong skills over time.

With warmth, patience, and playful language-rich interactions, your child will continue making beautiful progress throughout the year.