Why start with "more"

When I start with a 2-year-olds that isn't talking I often start with "more" in both sign language and verbal. With sign language, it's easy to do hand over hand. It doesn't need to be perfect, if they can get their hands together that's what matters. I take anything close to encourage them to do it more. Verbally if they say "mo" awesome, take it. They're trying.

More can be used so many times in a day. Often a lot of repetition is needed.

Use "more" during

-snack time- only give one little cracker or fruit snack at a time. You get to practice using "more" each time.

-meal time- When they want more of something. If you're doing family meals then you can use others to model. If a brother or sister wants more green beans they can model using "more." Then the little one sees how it works.

-playtime- you have control of the blocks, puzzle pieces, shape sorters, or any toy with multiple pieces. Then you can work on "more" to get another block, or piece. In one activity like a puzzle, you can work on "more" maybe 6 times.

-park time- If they like to swing on the swings, push them but stop them, and work on "more" to swing more.

I also suggest when they get annoyed with the repetition give it a little break. Especially when they are imitating. If you're using goldfish to work on "more" and they are starting to imitate you give them multiple goldfish when they do it. That way they are encouraged to do it on their own. When using signs, if I have to do hand over hand, they get one. If I model and they imitate, they get like 3. If they do without a visual model, they get 6. Getting more at a time will encourage them to do it more on their own so they can get more goldfish at a time. Yes, it means fewer opportunities to practice but if they're doing it more independently they don't need extra practice.

Using "more" helps to encourage them to use more language. They will learn, I do/say something, I get something. They learn it's easier to use language to get what they want than to whine. You always pair the sign and verbalize so they hear that repetition too. You can always expand on signs from there. I often do "all done" next. More and all done seem to go together pretty well. You either want more or you're all done with it, right?

Always have fun with it!