Children must learn how to imitate actions and vocal sounds in order to produce first words. First, children imitate whole body actions, then hand gestures and facial expressions. Later they imitate voice.

In order for children to imitate actions and voice, the task must be exciting. This can be accomplished by attaching sounds to actions within play. Examples include

• saying “weeee” as you help the child go down the slide
• Saying a vowel sound as a bubble descends from the air
• Saying /p/ as a bubble pops
• Making toy boats or cars make different CVCV syllable shapes as they move, bababa, papapa
• Replace words in a song with consonant vowel strings as in “bababab” to the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat.

Children also need their play partners to imitate them. In this way turn taking imitation becomes a playful exploration of sounds rather than an imitation task. Imitate your child’s expressions, motor acts and sounds. Vary these only slightly in an attempt to help the child vary their attempts. For example, if a child only makes the sound “da”, then change it to “do”. If the child says only “m”, then change the sound to another nasal sound, or another lip sound. I can help you determine what sounds are similar to the sounds that your child currently approximates.

Some children need to know that their job is to take a turn in sound play. If your child is quite entertained by listening to your sounds only and does not make attempts, then take less turns and wait in anticipation for their sound. Respond to any attempts. If the child is still not vocal then set up a situation where the child needs you to do something as they make a sound. For example, child makes a motor sound as he/she are flown” through the air. When the sound stops, then the child is let down. The adult bounces the child on a ball as the adult and child take turns making a sound pattern, and stops when the child stops vocalizing. Winding up a toy to make it move, but only making it go when the child uses voice. If you are having difficulty getting your Chile to vocalize then begin with child instruments. This may even be taking turns with “drum pans” or toy horns.

Some children are not yet ready to imitate sounds, and in this case, imitate whole body actions and facial expressions. A wall mirror helps to facilitate this. Songs and finger plays are helpful for imitation. Do not hesitate to help the child make the actions by hand-over-hand help.