As a special educator with more than 24 years experience in teaching, I would like to offer you some suggestions for activities that can help encourage speech and talking in young children who seem to be delayed in their speech acquisition in the context of the home environment. Usually, parents experience this with their first or only children. Typically, 2nd and 3rd children have many role models to imitate and learn speech. They learn very early on, the power of language in getting what they want or being left out! I advocate these activities because they are designed to be fun, engaging, and to encourage your child to start talking FAST!. Encouraging spontaneous speech and talking at home is simple and not as complicated as you might think it is.
The simplest way to encourage speech at home is by using the imitation technique, which is a crucial aspect of language development. It is more crucial in the facilitation of speech in children with autism too! Encourage your child to imitate actions, sounds, and words that you make. 
For example, you can imitate animal sounds such as “moo moo” for cows or “woof woof” for dogs, or make exaggerated facial expressions. Gradually increase the complexity of the sounds and words that you imitate, and make sure to praise your child when they successfully imitate you.
Singing and reciting nursery rhymes can help your child learn the rhythm and patterns of language. They also help to build your child’s vocabulary and develop their listening skills. You can sing songs with repetitive phrases, like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” This level of prediction would give your child an incentive to sing along because they are able to recall when words are said/sung.
Reading books with your child can help to build their vocabulary, increase their attention span, and improve their listening skills. Choose books with simple, repetitive text and bright, bold illustrations to hold your child’s interest. Take time to point out objects in the illustrations, and label them for your child. Ask your child to name objects within the illustrations and tie them in with what the child has seen in the home or school environment. Language should be made necessary and relevant. When a child can understand how powerful words are, chances are they will be motivated to try speaking or talking more.
Play is a powerful tool for promoting speech and language development. Promoting talking in the home is important for children because it teaches them to express their needs and feelings. Encourage your child to play with toys that make sounds or have buttons that play music. You can also use toys to act out simple scenarios, like cooking dinner or playing school. Mimicking real life through play teaches your child the vocabulary associated with the activity. They get to practice it during play and use it appropriately in real life.
Everyday objects can be used to encourage speech and language development. Encourage your child to name objects they see around the house, like a chair, a table, or a book. You can also use objects to play simple games, like putting toys away in a “toy box” or stacking blocks.
When you’re doing everyday activities with your child, take the time to describe what you’re doing. For example, “I’m putting on my shoes. First, I put my left foot in. Then I put my right foot in.” This helps your child learn new words and understand how things are done. It gives them yet another way to see why talking is important. It also builds vocabulary.
Encourage your child to ask questions. Answer their questions simply and directly. If they ask a question that you don’t know the answer to, say “I’m not sure, let’s look it up together.” This helps to build your child’s confidence and encourages them to ask more questions. Ask your child questions too!
Turn-taking games help your child learn how to take turns, listen to others, and express themselves. You can play simple turn-taking games, like rolling a ball back and forth, or taking turns playing with a toy. Use repetitive words such as ” your turn”, “my turn” or ” whose turn?”
These are just a few of the many activities that can help promote speech and language development in young children who seem delayed in their speech acquisition. It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and that some children may need extra help and support to develop their speech and language skills.
I would like to emphasize that these activities should be fun and engaging for your child, and not feel like a chore or a task. Encourage your child to participate and praise their efforts, no matter how small they may seem. With patience, love, and persistence, you can help your child develop their speech and language skills and set them on the path to successful spontaneous communication.
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