As a parent or caregiver, you play a huge role in your child’s communication development. You likely spend your days trying to understand your child’s needs, soothe their frustration, and celebrate every little word or gesture. One of the most powerful (and often overlooked) tools you can use to support your child’s speech and language skills is something simple: offering choices.

Whether your child is just beginning to communicate or already stringing together sentences, giving choices can spark language, build confidence, and even ease some of those daily power struggles. In this article, we’ll explore why offering choices is so effective, how to do it well, and practical examples for every part of your daily routine.

Why Are Choices So Powerful?

Offering choices is a strategic way to boost communication and emotional development. Here’s why:

1. It Encourages Language Use

When you present two options, you naturally invite your child to respond. This gives them a reason to communicate. Children can respond in many different ways. They could use a word, a gesture (reach or point), an ALD sign, or even just a look. It is important work at your child’s level and prompt encouragement for their communication attempts.

2. It Gives Your Child a Sense of Control

Young children are constantly being told what to do: “Put your shoes on,” “Eat your lunch,” “Time for bed.” Giving them a choice helps them feel seen and heard. It gives them a sense of purpose in a world where most things are decided for them.

3. It Reduces Frustration

Children who are still developing language often experience frustration when they can’t express what they want. Offering choices helps narrow the options and makes communication more manageable.

4. It Supports Decision-Making and Social Skills

Making a choice is an important social skill. Your child learns to listen, weigh options, make decisions, and take turns in conversation.

How to Offer Choices Effectively

You don’t need to be fancy or create something complex. The most effective choices are:

Simple: Stick to 2 clear options.
Genuine: Only offer choices that you’re truly okay with.
Concrete: Use real objects, pictures, or familiar words.
Consistent: Try offering choices several times a day to make it part of your routine.

Pro Tip: Avoid open-ended questions like, “What do you want?” These can overwhelm children with too many possibilities or lead to frustration if they don’t have the words to respond.

Instead, try: “Do you want the red cup or the blue cup?”

Daily Routines: Scripts and Examples

Let’s walk through a typical day and look at simple ways to offer choices that support communication.

Breakfast Time

Instead of: “Do you want breakfast?”

Try:

“Do you want cereal or toast?”
“Milk or juice?”

If your child responds by pointing:

“You pointed to juice. Juice it is! Thank you for showing me.” This is great because you are also modeling expanded language!

Getting Dressed

Try:

“Do you want your blue shirt or your yellow shirt today?”
“Do you want to wear shorts or a dress?”

This helps your child learn clothing words and express preferences.

Story Time

Try:

“Should we read the animal book or the truck book?”
“Do you want me to turn the pages or do you want to turn the pages?”

Letting your child choose can make reading more engaging and interactive.

Play Time

Try:

“Do you want to play with the blocks or the puzzle?”
“Do you want to build a tower or make a train track?”

If your child uses just one word, model the full sentence:

Child: “Blocks.”
You: “I want blocks! Let’s play with blocks.”

Bath Time

Try:

“Do you want the duck or the boat?”
“Do you want to wash your feet or your hands first?”

This turns passive parts of the routine into opportunities to talk and choose.

Bedtime

Try:

“Dinosaur pajamas or star pajamas?”
“Two stories or one story tonight?”

Even winding down can include language-rich moments.

What If My Child Doesn’t Use Words Yet?

Offering choices is still helpful!

You can:

Hold up the two objects and wait for them to point or look.
Say the names as you show them: “Apple or banana?”
Model the words even if your child doesn’t repeat them.

Remember, communication is more than words. A gesture, sound, or eye gaze is a powerful first step.

Using Visuals to Support Choices

Some children respond even better when they can see the options. Try using:

Real objects
Picture cards
- Picture Card Example

You can create your own by printing photos of snacks, toys, or activities and offering them during decision-making times. You can even cut pictures from items such as food packages or toy boxes.

Language Growth Through Repetition and Modeling

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t immediately start using words. Each time you offer a choice, you are modeling useful vocabulary and sentence structures.

Instead of saying, “Okay,” try repeating and expanding:

Child: (points to ball)
You: “Ball! You want the ball!”

Over time, your child will begin to imitate your words and phrases. Repetition builds confidence and understanding.

Final Thoughts

Offering choices isn’t just about getting through the day with fewer meltdowns (although that’s a great bonus!). It’s about helping your child feel heard, valued, and capable of expressing themselves.

These small moments add up. When you offer choices, you’re:

Building language skills
Strengthening emotional regulation
Encouraging decision-making
Deepening your connection with your child

It doesn’t take more time. It just takes intention.

So the next time you start a routine, pause and ask: “Which one do you want?” Then watch your child light up as they realize they have a voice and you’re listening.

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Disclaimer: This article offers general educational information. It is not a substitute for professional evaluation or treatment. Please consult a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist for personalized concerns regarding your child’s speech development.