One of the best things we can do to get toddlers little speech motor moving is to use non-word sounds paired with play and motor actions. Teach Me to Talk has a wonderful list of sounds and strategies to use!

“Try these Play Sounds

Pant like a dog
Gasp
Squeal or scream
Grunt with effort
Yawn
Fake cough
Fake sneeze
Car/Truck noises
Siren noise
Fake laugh
Fake cry
Whine
Snore
Slurp with drinking
Exhale after drink
Shiver
“Sh!” for quiet
Growl
Say “ah” or another vowel sound in an empty bucket, paper towel or toilet paper roll, or in a funnel

Animal sounds and other play sounds like car and truck noises such as “beep beep” and “vroom” are powerful play sounds that toddlers love.

Exclamatory Words are Play Sounds Too!

Other kinds of “play sounds” include exclamatory words such as:

Mmm, mmm, mmm (when eating and the food is good!)
Yay
Uh oh
Whee
Wow
Woo hoo
Pow

My lists could go on and on and on… : )

Most of all, these kinds of sounds are so much FUN for everyone! I’ve found that dads and siblings naturally gravitate toward these sounds and are fabulous models for our little friends. Coach families to include these sounds not only at playtime but throughout the day. Here are some examples:

When a toddler sees a dog outside, on a commercial, or while reading a book, model panting.

When you see someone sleeping, modeling yawning, snoring, and saying, “Sh!”

As a toddler plays in the kitchen while mom is cooking dinner, get out the dishes, pots, and pans and excitedly say, “Boom! Boom!” as you bang a spoon on the bottom of the bowl or “Swish! Swish!” as you pretend to stir.”