TinyStepper
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Add a Word Game

When your toddler says a word, you add one more — 'car' becomes 'fast car!' — gently expanding their sentences.

Activity details

18m–3y10 minslowbothNo prep

Instructions

Get ready
  • Listen for your toddler's words throughout the day
  • When they say a word, repeat it with enthusiasm: 'Car!'
  1. Listen for your toddler's words throughout the day
  2. When they say a word, repeat it with enthusiasm: 'Car!'
  3. Then add ONE word: 'Fast car!' or 'Big car!'
  4. Don't ask them to repeat your version — just model it
  5. If they do repeat — celebrate: 'Fast car! Yes!'
  6. Try it at meals: 'juice' → 'apple juice!' 'more' → 'more please!'
  7. Aim for 5-10 expansions per day — it adds up fast

Parent tip

Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.

Parent and child sitting face-to-face laughing together in a warm shared moment

What success looks like

Back-and-forth between you — words, gestures, shared pretend. Connection is the real outcome here.

Listen for your toddler's words throughout the day. When they say something — 'car' — repeat it and add one word: 'Fast car!' or 'Red car!' When they say 'milk' — say 'More milk!' or 'Cold milk!' This technique is called recasting or expansion. You're not correcting them — you're modelling the next step. Over time, their one-word utterances naturally stretch into two-word phrases.

Why it helps

Recasting (expanding what a child says) is one of the strongest predictors of vocabulary growth according to language development research. Speech and Language UK specifically recommend 'building on what children say' — adding to their words rather than correcting them. It's gentle, natural, and shows children that their communication is valued AND can grow.

Variations

  • If they're already using two words, add a third: 'big car' → 'big red car!'
  • Try during meals: 'banana' → 'yellow banana' → 'yummy yellow banana!'
  • Add a verb: 'dog' → 'dog running!'

Safety tips

  • Never correct — always expand. 'Tar' for car is fine — say 'Yes! Fast car!'
  • Don't pressure them to repeat your expanded version.
  • Keep it natural — weave it into conversation, not a drill.

Want to try another?

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