How do I build my toddler's vocabulary through everyday conversation and reading?

Between ages 1 and 3, children's vocabulary explodes from about 50 words to over 1,000. You are the primary driver of this growth. Use 'parentese' (higher pitch, slower pace, exaggerated intonation) — research shows babies learn faster from this speech pattern. Narrate your day: 'I'm cutting the banana. Look, it's yellow and soft.' Expand on their words: if they say 'dog,' you say 'Yes! A big brown dog is running.' Ask open-ended questions with picture books: 'What do you think will happen next?' Read together for at least 15–20 minutes daily. Introduce new words in context and repeat them often — children need to hear a word 10–50 times before they use it. Limit screen time, which research shows does not build vocabulary as effectively as live human interaction. Consult your pediatrician about speech milestones and whether a referral for speech-language evaluation is needed.