Building Reciprocal Communication Through Verbal Routines

Reciprocal communication doesn’t begin with long back-and-forth conversations—it begins with small, joyful moments of shared anticipation. Verbal routines are one of the most powerful ways to build those moments. They are short, predictable “scripts” or playful patterns that happen the same way each time, allowing children to learn what comes next and feel safe participating.

And despite the name, a child’s turn does not have to be verbal. A sound, a squeal, a gesture, a sign, a facial expression, or use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) all count as meaningful communication. What matters is not the form—it’s the participation and connection.

Why Verbal Routines Work

Verbal routines help children understand the cause-and-effect nature of communication: “When you or I do X...then Y happens.” Because the routine is predictable, the child can anticipate what comes next, which makes joining in feel safe and successful. These exchanges naturally create a foundation for turn-taking - an early building block of conversation- while also reinforcing the idea that their communication has power and impact.

Strategies to Invite Participation

You can support your child by keeping the routine predictable, playful, and inviting. Some simple ways to help your child take a turn include:

• Use wait time — pause before the exciting part to give space for your child to respond.

• Pair language with movement — “Up-up-up… weeee!” when lifting the child up before spinning.

• Repeat often — the familiarity makes it easier for your child to anticipate the moment and join in.

• Use big facial expressions and intonation — your enthusiasm draws them in!

• Follow your child’s lead — build the routine around what they already love.

• Celebrate any attempt — a squeal, gesture, or look counts as successful communication!

These strategies create opportunities for participation without pressure, prompting, or correction.

Everyday Examples

Verbal routines can happen anywhere:

• “Ready… set…” while pushing the swing

• “Pop… pop…” while blowing bubbles

• “One, two…” before going down the slide

• “Woah… woah…” while balancing on a pillow.

Over time, the child learns that their action or sound completes the routine, and these “fill-in-the-blank” moments become the earliest form of conversational turn-taking.

Why This Matters for Long-Term Communication

Before children can use language flexibly, they must experience communication as relational and rewarding. Verbal routines teach, “My actions create a response,” which is the heart of reciprocity. Repeated joyful exchanges help build neural pathways for connection, anticipation, shared timing, and social engagement.

And because the routine is predictable, children don’t have to figure out what to say—they already know what belongs there. That frees up cognitive and emotional space for connection, which is what truly drives language development. Participation can grow in many directions—more sounds, bigger gestures, independent use of AAC, or eventually words and phrases—but there is no single “right” path. The growth is in the connection, not the complexity.

Our Approach

At Early Bird Speech Therapy, we use verbal routines not to “get words out,” but to build confidence, connection, and shared joy—the true foundation of communication. We meet children where they are developmentally and help them participate in routines using whatever form of communication is meaningful for them.

Schedule a free consultation to learn how verbal routines and play-based therapy can support your child’s communication growth!