YOUR TODDLER ISN’T SAYING “HO HO HO”? HERE’S WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS FOR SPEECH DEVELOPMENT

toddler speech & language developmentearly milestones & typical developmenttips for parents (at-home support)speech concerns & when to ask for help

Dec 13

Written By Sonia Chowdhury Lopez

If your toddler isn’t running around the house yelling “Ho Ho Ho!” this Christmas, take a deep breath. It doesn’t mean they’re behind, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong. Holiday words are fun, but they are not milestones. Your child does not need to say seasonal vocabulary to be on track.

Let’s walk through what actually matters for toddler speech and language development, especially during the holidays, and why your toddler is probably doing more communicating than you realize.

1. Holiday Words Are Not Developmental Milestones

Words like “Santa,” “tree,” “lights,” “snow,” or “Ho Ho Ho” aren’t required benchmarks. They’re simply seasonal vocabulary. What matters more is whether your child is using any words (even approximations), communicating with gestures, making sounds, imitating you, or showing interest in people and activities. Those are the true indicators of progress.

2. Imitation Matters More Than Perfect Words

If your toddler imitates anything, a sound, a clap, or a silly face, that is meaningful. Even if their attempt at “Ho Ho Ho” comes out as a grunt or giggle, it still counts. Imitation is a major building block for language.

3. Toddlers Learn Through Their Interests

Some kids love Santa. Some love trucks. Some love blueberries more than anything. Their interests guide their vocabulary. If your toddler isn’t using holiday words but is adding other words like “go,” “ball,” or “mama,” that is real, valuable progress.

4. Holiday Overwhelm Is Real

Crowds, noise, travel, and disrupted routines can easily push toddlers into “watching mode” instead of talking mode. Quiet kids are still learning. Quiet does not mean delayed.

5. Want to Encourage Holiday Words? Keep It Playful

A few simple ways to model “Ho Ho Ho” without pressure:

Say it while bouncing them on your lap
Hide a toy Santa and say, “Where’s Santa? Ho Ho Ho!”
Use a deep, silly voice
Pair the sound with an action like a gentle tickle
The key is modeling, not demanding.

6. What Actually Matters for Speech Development

Your toddler is on track if they are:

Trying to communicate, even nonverbally
Imitating sounds or actions
Using a growing number of gestures
Exploring, playing, and pointing
Learning new words or sounds each month
Understanding simple directions

These are true indicators of healthy speech and language growth.

7. The Real Magic of the Season

Your toddler may not say “Ho Ho Ho,” but maybe they light up when the tree turns on, giggle at jingle bells, or lean in for a snuggle on cold mornings. Those are communication moments too, and they matter far more than perfectly spoken holiday words.

Getting Clarity on Toddler Speech Milestones

If you’re unsure whether your toddler’s communication falls within typical early speech milestones, a speech-language pathologist can help clarify what’s developmentally appropriate.

CALL TODAY