Help Your Child Talk with Focused Stimulation: A Parent-Friendly Guide
A simple, research-supported strategy to help your child learn new words
Focused Stimulation is a language strategy where you choose one word you want your child to learn—like open—and model it many times during play and daily routines. Your child does not need to say the word back. They simply listen as you model the word over and over in natural situations.
With enough repetition in meaningful moments, your child begins to understand the word—and understanding always comes before talking. Over time, children begin to say the word on their own.
Research by Fey (1986) and many later studies show that:
Children learn language through repeated exposure to a word.
Hearing a word many times strengthens understanding, which leads to talking.
Words learned in real-life routines stick better than words “taught” through drills.
Focused stimulation effectively supports vocabulary, grammar, and early word combinations.
In simple terms: When a child hears a word many times in natural situations, the brain learns it faster.
How to use focused stimulation at home
Pick One Target Word
Choose a word your child is ready for—something simple and meaningful, like:
more, open, go, help, up, in, out, all done, big, turn.Today’s example: open
Say the Target Word Many Times. Use the word naturally and playfully.
While playing with toys that open, model the word repeatedly:
“Open the box!”
“Should we open it?”
“You want me to open?”
“It’s open!”
“Let’s open another one!”
Target(s) can be naturally modeled a minimum of 5-10 times (Ellis Weismer & Robertson, 2006).
Don’t Ask Your Child to Repeat the Word. Avoid:
✘ “Say open.”
✘ “Can you say open?”
Your child learns through hearing your models again and again.Use “OPEN” During Routines
Meals:
“Open your snack.”
“I’m opening it.”
Bath:
“Open the shampoo.”
“Open the cup to pour.”
Getting dressed:
“Open the drawer.”
Books:
“Let’s open the book!”
“You opened the page.”
Every routine gives you natural chances to use the word.
Celebrate Any Communication
If your child looks, points, or attempts the word:
Child: “oh!”
Parent: “Yes! Open! You want me to open it!”This shows your child that communication works
Helpful Materials to Teach “OPEN”
Boxes with lids
Plastic eggs
Snack containers
Toy doors
Lift-the-flap books
Zip pouches
Pop-open toys
These give you lots of chances to model “open.”
Other Good Target Words to Try Next
(Choose one at a time)
More
Go
Help
Up
In
Out
All done
Turn
Big
Push
Quick Summary
Pick one word.
Say it many times during natural moments.
Don’t ask your child to repeat it.
Keep it playful and simple.
Celebrate any attempts to communicate.
