What if my child understands English but does not want to speak?
Another way to ask：My child follows an English instruction but refuses to repeat it.
The direct answer
Keep nonverbal ways to participate, such as pointing, choosing or passing an object, and offer a short response to imitate. Immediate speech need not be the only way to join the activity.
How to think about it
Make it a real choice between two toys. Model a brief reply, then allow pointing or saying it together. Repeatedly asking for an answer already known can feel like testing; taking turns and giving language a purpose changes the task.
Something to try
- Invite your child to choose a toy by pointing.
- Model a short spoken response for that choice.
- Offer a shared spoken turn next time, while still allowing a gesture.
Scope and limits
This page does not determine the cause of reluctance or diagnose language development. These are adjustable family activity suggestions.
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Little English Speak Out
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