How to expand my 20-month-old sons vocabulary?

Way to go for wanting to teach him the words. Many parents tell their kids to use their words without actually giving them the words and teaching them when to use them.

I want juice/book/blanket/etc (for when he wants something out of reach)

I don't like that (for when another child takes his toy or pushes him)

I want a hug/kiss (for when he is sad and needs comforting)

Where is mom/my car/etc (for when he needs help finding something)

I'm hungry/thirsty/cold/sleepy (for when he has a need to be fulfilled)

It will take many times of you modeling how to use the words and what happens when you say them. For example you might say at a time when he is calm "Im thirsty. I want my juice." Then take a drink. When he is upset and crying, try to figure out what he wants by asking different things until you figure it out, then model how to ask for it. He wont be able to say everything right away but after a few times he will start to understand what to say to make you understand what he wants and that is the first step. The second step is being able to vocalize it but he first must understand it.

Just speak to him as you would anyone else, obviously on his level, but using proper words and usage. He'll learn by emulating you. Make a point of making sure he can see your mouth when your talking to help him learn to form the letters/words properly. Just keep a conversation (one sided for the most part) flowing with him about what you see around you, where your going and what your doing. This will expand the words he's hearing being used and do so in the proper context which is important. Keep up encouraging him to use his words when he needs to express something. And as always, read books with him.

My daughter talks a lot at just 24 months, people constantly tell me how amazed they are at how much she talks...and you know how I accomplished it? I constantly narrate everything we do throughout the day, I ask her about how she's feeling, I point to objects and teach her words and colors, etc...you just need to talk about everything, all day. That's the only way they learn.

Baby signs. Talk to him about everything. Repeat exactly what you want him to say in normal language. No baby talk. Read with him. Listen to music instead of putting him front of the TV and interact with him as much as possible.

I agree with sesame street.

I would also read to him every night. I remember being read Dr. Seuss and fairytales too and already knew how to read before going to school. Speak to them in adult talk, use big words and watch national geographic or something. Then you can create your very own little Einstein. :)

I don't feel good, stop it ,leave me alone, it hurts, I'm tired, im sleepy, I wanna go, or if he's happy

yay that was gud that's fun I like it but there's always reading to him and sesame street the best educational kids show in my opinion

TALK TO THE KID.

TALK TO THE KID

TALK TO THE KID

TALK TO THE KID

TALK TO THE KID.

stop the damn baby talk.

Have a frikkin conversation with your own kid.

uugghh..the whining and crying. What I did was kid of trying on my nerves but it did work. I would not give them what they wanted if they were whining or crying or just pointed to what they wanted or needed. UNLESS, I knew they were overtired, hurt or in a BAD mood(:

So you are his mother and most of the time know what he wants. even if you understand his whining words...dont' give it to him untill he asks "nicely". I used to say, calmly! I'm sorry, I can't undersatnd you. Please ask in a nice voice so I can understand you. If it didn't work by the third try...I would say. come to me. I would hug them, and say lets take a break. huggs for a bit....I always knew what they wanted. So...would you like to have milk or juice? juice..ooh you want juice. Yes.. ok come with me. can you say juice please....juice please...thank you for asking "nicely". I don't know what you want unless you ask "nicely". give him the juice...then I would say..thank you. and say to them..say thank you! (I wanted them to say please and thank you.) they need to be tought tose words. so i felt if I said it first..and asked them to say it...they learned to say it, and it worked.

anytime I gave them something or we saw something I thought intreested them..I would say...here are your carrots. then..what are these? carrots..good job! carrots are orange! what color are carrots? orange. if they didnt' respond...carrots are orange! what color are these(poinitng) orange...yes! Can I have one of your carrots(sharring) yes. thank you! I love carrots! do you like carrots? yes. what color are your carrots? Orange! yes...please, can I have another? The words you use...are the words he will hear! and use. the best thing to do is keep talking, and ask him to repeat, or ask simple questions you know he knows the answer to. praise his answers..good job! I love it when you use "nice: words.

Choices are great to get them to use words. You know he wants an apple...but he whines. sorry...I don't understand you, ask "nicely"(a cue word.."nicely" will in time make him understand..."nicely" means DONTwhine!) ask nicely! do you want an apple or a banana? he says apple. Oooh I love apples. thank you for asking nicely. can you say..apple please? apple please. here you go. say thank you, or thank you mommy. Thank you! I love when you ask "nicely"

it will take work. If you don't give in to the whining/crying..it will pay off. I have 2 kids..8 and 6..and both are trying to be very fresh. BUT they do not whine and alway say please and thank you.

I spent alot of time with both my kids when they were babies and toddlers doing puzzles.abc, shapes, numbers, colors, and looking at books.(at 20 months either of them wanted to sit and listen to a story but they loved looking at picture books which helped with vocabulary) Both of them loved amimal books. at 1 and a half my sons fav. animal was an iguana and he said iguanna!

songs/singing is also good. listen to kiddie music in the car..he will sing along one day soon..so cute! sing songs at home. Wheels on the bus...ABC song, Old mcDonald(great for sounds of words) baah..moo,..wooof..meow. teaches them sounds which lead to words.