Imitation: How to encourage your child to copy words

 
 
 
Katie and Carly from Wee Talkers sit together in front of a blue background, holding books and laughing.
 
 

Is your child not copying your words yet? Wondering if that’s normal—or what you can do to help? Imitation is one of the first building blocks of communication.

In this episode, we’re diving into:

  • How imitation develops step by step—from actions and gestures to sounds and words

  • Why some kids pick up movements before they start talking

  • Practical strategies to encourage your child to copy you more

  • What might be happening if your child isn’t imitating yet

You’ll walk away with a better understanding of where your child is in their communication journey and simple ways to support their progress at home.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

  • Toddler Milestone Checklist – Track your child’s progress and learn what to expect next!

  • Imitation Development Progression – Check out our blog for a visual breakdown of how imitation unfolds

  • Songs+Stories Membership – A high-quality screen-time option that encourages imitation, gestures, and language through engaging storytime videos

  • Gestalt Language Processing – Wondering if your child is a gestalt language processor? We highly recommend learning from our SLP friend, Nicole Casey, and checking out her resources.

  • Talk Toddler Course – Learn step-by-step how to support your child’s language at home

  • Instagram: @weetalkers  — we’d love to connect with you! 

➡️ If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with a fellow parent or caregiver who might be struggling with getting their child to copy words.

Your support helps us continue providing quality resources for families to help little ones communicate with confidence.


 
 
 
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