How has my toddler learned so many words?

Your toddler is learning, understanding and using more words all the time. They use a variety of clever methods to do this, and what we do and say while we're with them is pivotal to their language learning. 

Object-based word learning 

You might be familiar with this first theory that babies and young children rely on object-based word learning. 

Research shows us that saying the name of the object while showing it is very helpful for language development. It suggests learning words can be boosted when the link between the object and the word is clear.  

When your toddler can see the object, it helps them to learn the name and connect meaning.^[1] 

Listening to adult conversations 

Other research suggests that babies and young children learn about words when they are listening to adult conversations. By simply watching and listening, they pick up the meanings of words with direct adult input.  

This type of language learning is typically more social and will help your toddler engage in social interactions, like saying hello to everyone.^[2]  

Using the environment 

Babies and young children learn words simply by using the environment and the context in which words are used.  

Research tells us that many verbs are not backed up with an object, yet babies and young children still learn what the verb means.^[3] For example, when we open doors, drawers or books, we don’t say, “Look I’m opening the door,” each time. Yet they still understand the words open, opened and opening.  

Keep on talking 

What all the research agrees on though, is that babies and young children learn words through listening to conversations and people talking. So, keep chatting to, with and around your toddler – they're taking it all in! 
 

References: 

[1] Thomson. R (2015). Learning & Development: Communication & Language - Word for word. Nursery World. Available online at: Learning & Development: Communication & Language - Word for word | Nursery World 

[2] Gotzke, C. & Sample Gosse, H. (2007). Research Narrative: Listening, Vocalizing and Interacting 13 - 24 Months. In L.M. Phillips (Ed.), Handbook of language and literacy development: A Roadmap from 0 - 60 Months. [online], pp. 1 - 8. London, ON: Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network. Available at: Handbook of language and literacy development. 

[3] Bloom. P. (2000). How children learn the meanings of words. MIT Press.