How to Work on Requesting with Your Child at Home

Every time your child reaches for what they want and tells you — with a word, a sign, a point or a picture — a whole world of communication opens up. Requesting is where that world begins.

In short

You can build requesting at home by gently creating little moments where your child needs to ask — then waiting, offering a choice, and rewarding any attempt straight away. Keep favourite things in sight but just out of reach, follow your child's lead, and accept every form of asking (a look, a point, a sound, a word) as a real request. Little and often, woven into play and daily routines, works far better than long practice sessions.

Simple activities to try at home

Make asking worth it

• Keep a loved snack or toy visible but out of reach (a clear box, a high shelf) so your child has a reason to ask.
• Offer two choices — "bubbles or ball?" — and hold both up so they can point, reach, or name one.
• Give a little at a time: one bite, one piece of the puzzle, one push of the swing — so there are many chances to ask for "more".

Build the pause

• After you offer something, wait quietly for about 5–10 seconds with an expectant smile. That silence gives your child space to respond.
• Accept and celebrate any attempt — eye contact, a point, a sound, a sign or a word. Respond instantly so they learn: "asking works!"

Weave it into the day

• At snack, bath, and play, pause the routine and let your child request the next step.
• Model the word or sign yourself first — "open!" — then hand over what they wanted the moment they try.
• Use songs and tickle games ("Round and round the garden…") then stop and wait for them to ask for "more".

Go at your child's pace and keep it joyful. If your child uses pictures or a device to communicate, the same steps apply — honour whichever way they choose to ask.

When to check in

If your child shows little interest in sharing wants with you, isn't using gestures, sounds or words to ask by around 12–18 months, or seems frustrated because asking feels hard, it's worth a friendly developmental check. Early support for requesting and other early communication skills is gentle, play-based and highly effective.

The Pinnacle way

A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — never from an online read or a home checklist. Our therapists can show you exactly how to grow requesting within your child's everyday routines. Explore speech therapy, learn how the AbilityScore® gives an objective, multi-domain baseline, and see more on building requesting skills.

Trusted sources

Guided by communication-development resources from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren guidance, and CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones.

Next step — message our team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to book a developmental assessment and get a personalised home plan for your child's communication.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.