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It explains how first words are learned through copying and repeated hearing, notes individual learning differences, and outlines practical strategies to encourage talking. The content covers selecting first words by familiarity and frequent use, using naming and action word activities, modeling language, creating speaking opportunities, responding to vocalisations, and expanding or prompting word use in everyday routines.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":35,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/d3-early-language-developing-first-words-first-words/430843/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/d3-early-language-developing-first-words-first-words/430843.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"pixelkiddo","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-03","2026-09-29",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":52},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"How do children learn first words according to this guide?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"Children learn first words by copying and by hearing the word many times in different situations. 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Early Language: Developing First Words  \nA Down’s Syndrome Association publication  \nOur resources and Information Team are here to help  \nPlease see our website for up-to-date information: [www.downs-syndrome.org.uk](www.downs-syndrome.org.uk)[ ](www.downs-syndrome.org.uk)If you would like to talk about the activities or where to start, then please get in touch with our helpline by calling 0333 1212 300 or by emailing us on [info@downs-syndrome.org.uk](info@downs-syndrome.org.uk).  \nHelpline Monday-Friday 10am-4pm | Telephone: 0333 1212 300  \nAbout First Words  \nFirst words are learned by copying and by hearing the word many times indifferent situations. Individual children take varying amounts of time to learn new words. Information in this section includes:  \n􀁸  How to encourage talking  \n􀁸  Suggestions for choosing first words  \n􀁸  Developing first words  \n􀁸  Encouraging use of first words  \nChildren learn words with many different meanings. These include names, action words and describing words. Some common early words include:  \n􀁸 Naming words: mummy, daddy, car, dog, ball, shoe, banana, baby, own name  \n􀁸 Action words: fall down, push, sleep, drink  \n􀁸 Social words: hello, bye-bye, more, no, again  \n􀁸 Describing hot, cold, yucky, good, mine, broken words:  \n􀁸 Location words: up, down, in, out, down, here  \nA Down’s Syndrome Association publication 2  \nHow to encourage talking  \nThis section focuses on naming words and action words. Children need to understand the meaning of words before they will say them. The activities in Early Language: Developing Understanding help to encourage spoken words. You can use these activities when you are certain your child understands the word.  \nWhen encouraging your child to say words:  \n1. Model the words so your child can practice by imitation. Modelling can include:  \n􀁸 Talking through routines and activities. This 'gives' your child the language.  \n􀁸 Playing with your child, following her lead and commenting on what she is doing. For example,‘push the car’,‘hug teddy’. .  \n􀁸 Singing nursery rhymes and songs.  \n􀁸 Short bursts of structured activities to practise targeted words. For example, posting pictures, pulling objects out of a bag, and structured play activities (play with chosen toys which are based on the words you are teaching your child) .  \n􀁸 Use lots of repetition.  \n􀁸 Use simple, clear sentences, emphasising key words.  \n􀁸 Never force your child to say or copy a word. Just make sure he hears the word clearly lots of times, and in different situations.  \n2. Create opportunities for your child to speak:  \n􀁸 Talk about something that she seems interested in.  \n􀁸 Leave extra time for her to respond.  \n3. Respond to all vocalisations and word attempts as if your child is saying the real word.  \n4. Interpret your child’s sounds as words by:  \n􀁸 Recognise the different ways your child tries to communicate. He may gesture, point, vocalise and/or attempt to say a word. First attempts to say words may be a single sound like ‘b’ for ‘ball’ or ‘mm’ for ‘more’.  \n􀁸 Interpret what you think your child means, by saying the correct word. It is usually obvious what your child is trying to say, because first words relate to things in context. For example, your child might attempt to say ‘ball’when looking at a picture of a ball, and may say ‘more’ when she wants more food.  \n􀁸 Emphasise the word as you repeat it.  \n􀁸 Say and sign the word at the same time.  \n5. Repeat your child’s sounds and words.  \nIf you do not know what he is trying to say, repeat back the sounds to acknowledge their vocalisation. If he says the word clearly, repeat back 'That’s right! Ball' .  \n6. Expand you child's word into a simple sentence.  \nFor example, she says ‘ball’, and you say ‘kick the ball’; she says ‘more’ and you say‘more bubbles’.  \n7. Prompt your child by helping him to use the words he knows.  \nYou can do this by starting a sentence and letting him finish. For example,‘L","cbCaic2ZehTwXDnn","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaic2ZehTwXDnn","pdf",1015124,"English","# About First Words\n## How to encourage talking\n## First words and how to choose them","[{\"question\":\"How do children learn first words according to this guide?\",\"answer\":\"Children learn first words by copying and by hearing the word many times in different situations. The time each child takes to learn new words varies.\"},{\"question\":\"What strategies does the guide recommend for encouraging talking?\",\"answer\":\"Model the words, talk through routines, play and comment on what the child is doing, use repetition and simple sentences, and never force the child to copy. Create opportunities for the child to speak and respond to vocalisations and word attempts as if they are the real word.\"},{\"question\":\"How should caregivers choose which first words to teach?\",\"answer\":\"Focus on words that are familiar and heard frequently, help the child gain control over their environment, and offer opportunities to react to others’ speech. Choose words from several categories and select two to five target words at a time.\"}]","D3 - Early Language: Developing First Words - First Words | PDF",1790653850,23]