The first words a toddler learns are often the names of things they see, touch, and use every day. Think about it from their perspective. The world is a brand new place, and they're trying to connect sounds to all the interesting stuff in it. The best words to start with are simple, concrete, and part of their daily routine.

Start with common nouns. These are the names of people, places, and things. Look around your home. You're surrounded by first words.

Point to an object and say its name clearly. "Ball." Then, hand the ball to them. "Cup." Let them hold their cup. This physical connection helps cement the word in their mind. You can do this with their favorite toys, foods, or even the family pet.

Simple words to try:

• Toys: ball, block, car, doll
• Food: apple, banana, milk, cookie
• Animals: dog, cat, bird

Once they start getting the hang of nouns, you can introduce basic verbs. These are action words. Just like with nouns, the best verbs to teach are the ones they experience all the time. They don't just see a ball; they throw the ball. They don't just see a bed; they sleep in the bed.

Connect the word to the action as it's happening. When they're eating, say "eat." When they're about to go to sleep, say "sleep." Make it a game. Say "run!" and do a little jog in place. Say "jump!" and do a small hop. Your movement makes the word's meaning obvious and fun.

Simple actions to name:

• run
• jump
• eat
• sleep
• play
• go

One of the most engaging ways to learn new words is by talking about themselves. Toddlers are fascinated by their own bodies, which makes learning the names for body parts a natural next step. This is interactive and doesn't require any toys or props.

You can do this during bath time, while getting dressed, or just while sitting on the floor. Keep it simple and focus on the main parts first.

Body parts to identify:

• nose
• eyes
• mouth
• ears
• hands
• feet
• tummy

The key is repetition and keeping it light. You're not just teaching words; you're playing a game and connecting with them. Now let's review some of these new words.

Ready to check what you've learned?

By focusing on these simple nouns and verbs, you're building a strong foundation for your toddler's language skills, one word at a time.