At-Home Practice
Wait Time Trainer for Parents
A free timer that trains the hardest part of helping a late talker: saying the word, then waiting. Count your pauses and see how often waiting worked.
Model the word once, then press start.
How to use this tool
- Set up a moment where your child wants something.
- Model the word once ("More!"), then press start and stop talking.
- Watch them for the whole countdown. A look, a reach, a sound or a sign all count.
- Answer whatever they give you, and log whether the wait worked.
Why parents use it
Trains the adult, which is where the change has to happen.
Ten seconds of silence is much longer than it feels: the timer proves it.
Counts responses so you can see waiting working.
SpeechBarn tools are educational and support at-home practice. They do not diagnose, treat, or replace care from a speech and language therapist.
Frequently asked questions
Why does waiting matter so much?
A child who is always answered before they try never has to try. The pause is the space where communication happens.
Ten seconds feels like forever.
It does, and that is the point of the timer. Most adults wait one or two seconds and think they waited ten.
What if nothing happens?
Model the word again and carry on. Nothing is lost. You have not asked them to perform, you have left a door open.
How to Help a Toddler Talk
Late Talker Activities: 12 Games to Play at Home
Speech Milestones Checklist
