Let’s get Word Gardening with Tip #1.
But hang on, what is Word Gardening?
The Word Gardener series brings together 12 evidence-based “Word Gardening Tips” that provide a fertile environment for:
- helping first words emerge
- helping early words grow into sentences
- helping vocabularies blossom
Learn all 12 tips – share them far and wide – for optimal word growth.
What does “You’re the Voice” mean?
Being the voice means observing what your child is trying to communicate and then saying the words for them – no testing, no pressuring, no insisting they repeat what you are saying.
But you’re not putting words in their mouth.
You’re giving them access to the words they’re already reaching for.
I like If they could say it, they would say it — so this is what you should say.
Why this helps words grow
Imagine knowing what you want to say, but the word just won’t come out.
Now imagine someone calmly stepping in and saying the word for you.
That’s exactly what you’re doing for your child.
When adults act as the voice:
- children feel understood
- communication feels successful
- frustration is reduced
- words are modelled in meaningful moments – and are more likely to be copied
And because the words are relevant, they’re more likely to stick.
Putting your agenda aside
As adults, we often come into play with a plan: “I’ll push the cars and say ‘go car’” or “I’ll read the book and make animal noises.”
But your child might do something different. They might line the cars up instead. They might point to mud instead of the cow in the book.
Instead of trying to get THEM to focus on what YOU want, FLIP it. YOU focus on THEM and what THEY are wanting to say.
Join their play. Follow their focus.
You will need to listen and watch carefully… your child might say parts of words or make a sound or a gesture that will give you a hint.
Then say the words that match what they’re doing – and what THEY seem to wanting to communicate.
REMEMBER: If they could say it, they probably would say it — so that’s what YOU should say!
Everyday examples of being the voice
- Your child makes a cutting gesture with paper → You say: “Scissors. Want scissors.” or “Cut. Want to cut.”
- Your child looks at the fridge and says “yo-ya” → You say: “Yoghurt. (You) want yoghurt.”
- Your child points and vocalises → You say the word of what they’re reaching for.
- Your child puts their hands to their ears and moans when the blender is turned on→ You say: “Too noisy.”
In each moment, try thinking, If they could say it, they would say it — so this is what I should say.
Being the voice doesn’t mean giving in
BUT! Being the voice doesn’t mean your child always gets what they want.
You can still say: “You want yoghurt… No more yoghurt today.” The difference is that their true message has been named – and we KNOW this helps words grow.
And remember to listen/look out for a range of communication attempts. Communication is more than just requesting.
Children communicate to:
- ask
- comment
- share interest
- protest
- greet
Being the voice should support all of these — not just requesting.
Sometimes you’ll notice your child is itching to communicate about:
- things they want (ball, cuddle)
- things they want answered (early questions like where? who’s that?)
- what they don’t want (protests – stop! no! go away!)
- what things look like, smell like, feel like, (describing words: wow, big one, yucky, all gone)
- sharing an interest or focus (look!)
- greeting – saying hi or bye.
You don’t need to provide many words – just the right words. To provide the right words, you will need to watch and listen carefully.
An example of this, is that your child may be holding up their new lunchbox and saying “Lah-bo”.
You need to guess what they are trying to communicate… “Lunchbox… Open lunchbox!” or “Lunchbox… New lunchbox.” or “Lunchbox… I like this lunchbox.”
Slow down and listen
Being the voice requires:
- slowing things down
- careful observation
- putting your agenda aside
- being willing to guess — and adjust
If your child responds like you have been their voice – GREAT!
If not, you try again.
A foundation strategy
“You’re the Voice” is the foundation of Word Gardening.
It works alongside later tips like:
- communication temptations
- same same (consistency)
- choice questions
- fill-in-the-gaps
- be a builder
Together, they create a rich environment for words to grow.
The takeaway
If they could say it, they probably would say it — so this is what YOU should say for them.
Your child already has something to communicate. You’re just helping these words to sprout.