Do you have a child under the age of 30 months who frequently communicates messages and ideas to you, but doesn’t use as many words as other children their age? “Late Talkers” are young children who understand what they are told, have good play and turn-taking skills, and have no trouble learning everyday routines, but the number of words they use (their expressive vocabulary) is limited.

The Target Word Program is specifically designed for parents of children under the age of 30 months who are Late Talkers. Through a combination of parent group learning sessions and individual sessions with a Hanen SLP, you learn how to select “target words” for your child, and how to naturally create opportunities for your child to use these words during everyday routines and activities. 

At a Target Word Program, you’ll learn how to:

• Respond when your child communicates without using words.
• Turn everyday activities into opportunities for language-learning.
• Introduce new words and ideas into playtime and other activities.
• Join in your child's play and favorite activities in ways that help your child use new words.
• Set up activities so your child can learn new words.

The Target Word Program is for young children whose primary concern is delayed expressive language. Also referred to as Late Talkers, these are children who:

• have an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 24 words and are between 18 and 20 months; OR
• have an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 40 words and are between 21 and 24 months; OR
• have an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 100 words and are between 24 and 30 months; OR
• have limited word combinations by 24 months; AND
• have relatively good skills in his or her other areas of development (understanding, play, social, motor and cognitive skills); AND
• have some risk factors, such as limited use of gestures, limited use of different speech sounds, or a family history of language delay.

A speech-language pathologist can help you determine if Target Word may be helpful for your child.