Helping Kids Master Temporal Words for Clearer Communication

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Exactly Are Temporal Words?
3. Developmental Milestones for Temporal Word Understanding
4. A Bank of Temporal Words for Kids
5. Engaging Strategies for Teaching Temporal Words at Home
6. How Speech Blubs Supports the Foundation for Temporal Word Mastery
7. Making the Most of Speech Blubs: Pricing and Value
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself trying to understand your child’s exciting tale about their day, only to realize you’re completely lost on when things happened? Maybe they said, “I played with my blocks, went to the park, ate a sandwich, and saw a big dog!” — a wonderful story, but without a clear sense of sequence, it can be hard to follow. This delightful jumble is a common experience for many parents, highlighting a crucial aspect of language development: the understanding and use of “temporal words.” These are the magical words that give a story its order, its timeline, and its clarity, transforming a collection of events into a coherent narrative.

At Speech Blubs, we understand that effective communication is about more than just saying words; it’s about speaking your mind and heart, and sharing your world in a way that others can understand. That’s why we’re dedicated to empowering children with the tools they need to express themselves fully. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into what temporal words are, why they’re so vital for your child’s development, and offer practical, engaging strategies you can use at home to help your little one master them. We’ll explore the developmental milestones for understanding time, provide a rich bank of temporal words, and show you how Speech Blubs can be a playful yet powerful partner in this learning journey. By the end of this article, you’ll feel equipped and inspired to turn everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for language growth, fostering confidence and joy in your child’s communication journey.

What Exactly Are Temporal Words?

Temporal words, at their heart, are words or phrases that anchor events in time. Think of them as the signposts on the road of a story, telling us when something happened, how long it lasted, or in what order events unfolded. They are transitional words that give a sentence a time frame, allowing a story to flow with meaning and context. Without them, a narrative can feel disjointed, leaving the listener guessing about the sequence of actions.

For children, understanding time is incredibly abstract. It’s not something they can touch or see in the same way they can a toy or a snack. This is why giving time a concrete nature, making it visual, and providing it with tangibility through language is so crucial. Temporal words provide this structure. You can remember this concept by thinking about how “temp-OR-al” words help put things in “ORder.”

Why Temporal Words Matter So Much for Kids

The importance of temporal words extends far beyond just telling a coherent story. They are fundamental to various aspects of a child’s cognitive and communicative development:

• Clarity in Communication: Imagine your child trying to explain a playground mishap or an exciting discovery. If they can say, “First, I went down the slide, then my friend pushed me on the swing, and after that, we ate snacks,” their explanation becomes clear and easy to follow. This reduces frustration for both the child and the listener.
• Sequencing Skills: Temporal words are the backbone of sequencing. Whether it’s following a recipe, understanding instructions, or recalling the steps of a daily routine, the ability to put events in order is essential. This skill is critical for daily living and academic success.
• Emotional Regulation and Understanding Expectations: For young children, “later” or “tomorrow” can feel like an eternity or a vague concept. A child who understands, “First we clean up, then we can watch a cartoon,” can better manage their expectations and emotions compared to a child who only hears “not now.” As children grasp these time-based concepts, their ability to regulate emotions improves.
• Developing Narrative Skills: As children grow, they move from simple sentences to telling complex stories. Temporal words are the building blocks for creating engaging narratives, allowing them to recount experiences, invent tales, and connect ideas logically. This is a foundational skill for both oral communication and later, written expression.
• Academic Readiness: In school, understanding and using temporal words is vital for reading comprehension (identifying plot sequences), writing (structuring essays and stories), and following multi-step instructions across all subjects. Children who struggle with temporal concepts may face challenges in these areas.
• Social Interaction: Being able to clearly explain past events or plan future activities using temporal language enhances a child’s ability to interact with peers and adults, fostering stronger social connections.

For some children, such as those with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, the perception of time can be particularly challenging. Explicitly teaching temporal words and providing concrete tools can be immensely helpful in giving these abstract concepts tangible meaning, making the world more predictable and understandable.

Developmental Milestones for Temporal Word Understanding

Understanding when children typically grasp temporal concepts can help you gauge your child’s development and guide your support. Keep in mind that these are approximate ages, and every child develops at their own pace.

Up to 18 Months: The “Here and Now” Phase

At this very early stage, infants and young toddlers primarily understand the immediate present. Their world is all about “now.” Phrases like “we’ll go later” or “tomorrow” hold little meaning for them, often leading to frustration and tears because they cannot process what these time frames signify. Their emotional regulation is directly tied to immediate gratification or understanding.

18-24 Months: Glimpses of Past and Future

Around this age, children may begin to show a nascent understanding of some past and future tense concepts, although their grasp is still developing. Their emotional regulation starts to improve as they can dimly perceive that expectations might have a time perspective, but they will still struggle significantly with managing those emotions when desires are delayed.

30-36 Months: Beginning to Use Temporal Words (with Confusion)

This is typically when children start to experiment with temporal words like “yesterday” or “tomorrow.” However, their usage might be quite confusing or inaccurate. For instance, a child might excitedly tell you, “Grandma visited yesterday!” even if Grandma actually visited two months ago. They understand that the event happened in the past, but they haven’t yet mastered placing it within the correct temporal frame. This shows they are beginning to grasp the concept of past vs. present vs. future, but not the duration or specific timing.

36-52 Months (3-4+ Years): Better Understanding and Freer Use

As children approach their preschool and early elementary years, their speech begins to incorporate temporal words more freely and accurately. They develop a better understanding of time segments – morning, afternoon, night, week, month, season. While occasional errors will still occur, their overall ability to sequence events and use temporal language improves considerably.

It’s also important to reflect on our own language as parents. We often use vague terms like “later.” While a child may grasp that “later” means “not now,” being more direct with terms like “after lunch” or “in five minutes” can be more helpful for their understanding of specific time frames.

A Bank of Temporal Words for Kids

To help your child become proficient, exposure to a wide range of temporal words is key. Here’s a list of commonly used temporal words to incorporate into your daily conversations:

• Sequence/Order: first, second, third, next, then, after, before, during, while, meanwhile, finally, lastly, eventually, subsequently
• Present/Immediate: now, today, currently, at the moment
• Past: yesterday, before, last week, last month, last year, once, a long time ago, previously
• Future: tomorrow, later, soon, next week, next month, next year, in a bit, eventually

Seeing the Difference: With vs. Without Temporal Words

Let’s illustrate the power of temporal words with an example, similar to how we might explain it to parents learning about their child’s language development.

Without Temporal Words: “I bought ingredients for cookies. I mixed them. I put them in the oven. I ate them. My stomach hurt.”

With Temporal Words: “First, I bought ingredients for cookies. Then, I mixed them all in a bowl. Next, I put the dough in the oven to bake. Finally, I ate too many, and afterward, my stomach hurt!”

The second example paints a much clearer picture. We understand the order of events, which makes the story more engaging and the cause-and-effect (“afterward, my stomach hurt!”) more apparent. This clarity is precisely what we aim for when helping children master temporal words.

Engaging Strategies for Teaching Temporal Words at Home

Helping your child master temporal words doesn’t require complex lessons or drills. It’s about integrating these concepts naturally into your everyday life.

1. Narrate Your Day (and Your Child’s)

Become a storyteller for your daily routines. As you go through your day, vocalize the sequence of events using temporal words.

• “Okay, first we’ll get dressed, then we’ll have breakfast.”
• “After we finish eating, we’ll brush our teeth.”
• “Remember yesterday when we went to the park? Today we’re going to the library!”

Encourage your child to narrate their day back to you. Ask questions like:

• “What did you do first when you woke up?”
• “What happened next at daycare?”
• “What are we going to do later?”

2. Embrace Storytelling and Book Reading

Books are rich with temporal words! As you read together, pause and highlight these words.

• “The little bear went to sleep. Then the sun came up!”
• “What do you think happened before the character got lost?”
• “What do you think will happen next?”

After reading, have your child retell the story in their own words, prompting them to use sequence words:

• “Can you tell me what happened in the story, starting from the beginning?”
• “What was the first thing the rabbit did?”
• “And what did he do after that?”

3. Visual Schedules and Timers

Because time is abstract, visual aids are incredibly powerful, especially for younger learners or those who struggle with abstract concepts.

• Visual Schedules: Create simple picture schedules for daily routines (e.g., pictures for “wake up,” “eat breakfast,” “get dressed”). As you complete each step, say, “First, we brush our teeth, then we put on our shoes.” Remove or check off items as they’re completed.
• Timers: Use visual timers or sand timers to show duration. “We’ll play for five minutes, then it’s time to clean up.” This helps them see the “how long” aspect of time.
• Calendars: For older preschoolers, a simple calendar can help visualize “today,” “yesterday,” and “tomorrow,” as well as “next week.”

4. Sequence Activities and Games

Hands-on activities that involve a clear sequence are excellent for practicing temporal words.

• Cooking/Baking: Follow simple recipes. “First, we add the flour. Next, we crack the eggs. Then, we mix!”
• Art Projects: Give multi-step instructions for crafts. “We’re going to paint the sky first, then we’ll add the sun.”
• Building Blocks/Puzzles: “First, I put the big block on the bottom. Next, you add a small block on top.”
• “What Happens Next?” Games: Show a series of pictures depicting a sequence (e.g., planting a seed, then a sprout, then a flower). Ask your child to put them in order and describe what happens using temporal words.

5. Incorporate Temporal Words into Play

Playtime is a natural laboratory for language learning.

• Doll/Action Figure Play: Act out scenarios. “The doll woke up, then she ate breakfast, after that she went to the park.”
• Pretend Play: Encourage imaginative sequences. “First, we go to the grocery store, then we cook dinner.”
• Cause and Effect: “If you push the car now, it will roll then.”

For parents unsure if their child could benefit from more focused support, we’ve developed a quick 3-minute preliminary screener. It involves 9 simple questions and provides an assessment along with next-steps planning, and even includes a free 7-day trial of Speech Blubs to explore our resources.

How Speech Blubs Supports the Foundation for Temporal Word Mastery

At Speech Blubs, our mission is to empower children to speak their minds and hearts by providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for children who need speech support. Our founders, all with personal experiences with speech problems, created the tool they wished they had: a blend of scientific principles and play into one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. While Speech Blubs doesn’t have a specific “temporal words” module, our unique approach lays a powerful foundation that significantly supports a child’s eventual mastery of these crucial concepts.

Video Modeling: Learning Through Imitation and Observation

Our core methodology, backed by research, is “video modeling,” where children learn by watching and imitating their peers. This isn’t passive screen time; it’s an active, engaging experience that taps into the brain’s natural mirror neuron system. When children observe other kids performing actions, making sounds, or speaking words, they are implicitly absorbing much more than just the immediate target.

• Understanding Sequences of Actions: Many of our activities involve children performing actions – jumping, eating, building, playing. When your child watches a peer perform a sequence of actions (e.g., “First, I pick up the ball, then I throw it”), they are visually learning the order of those actions. This direct observation of sequenced behavior is a powerful precursor to understanding and using temporal words.
• Vocabulary for Verbs and Routines: Speech Blubs helps children build a rich vocabulary of verbs and words related to daily routines. Understanding “eat,” “sleep,” “play,” “wash,” “go,” etc., is foundational. Once a child has the words for actions, they are better equipped to connect those actions with temporal markers. For example, our “What Do I Do?” section helps children identify and imitate actions, which are often part of a sequence.
• Building Communication Confidence: A child who feels confident in their ability to articulate words and simple sentences is more likely to attempt more complex forms of communication, including using temporal words to elaborate on their experiences. Speech Blubs fosters this confidence through positive reinforcement and engaging, success-oriented activities.

Smart Screen Time for Active Learning

Unlike passive viewing experiences like cartoons, Speech Blubs provides “smart screen time” that encourages interaction, imitation, and active participation. Parents often tell us how much their kids love interacting with the app, practicing sounds, and discovering new words. This active engagement allows for guided practice of skills that indirectly support temporal word understanding:

• Following Instructions: Many activities within Speech Blubs require children to follow a sequence of simple instructions or actions within the app, reinforcing the concept of “first,” “next,” and “then” in a playful context.
• Joint Attention and Co-play: While children can use Speech Blubs independently, we strongly encourage parents to engage in co-play. This shared experience creates opportunities for you to narrate what’s happening in the app using temporal words, further reinforcing their meaning. “Look, first the child says ‘apple,’ then the apple appears!”
• Reducing Frustration: For children struggling with speech and language, the immediate feedback and engaging nature of Speech Blubs can significantly reduce communication-related frustration, opening them up to learning more complex linguistic structures.

Our commitment at Speech Blubs is to provide an empowering, joyful, and effective solution for developing a child’s communication skills. We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support, blending scientific principles with play. While we avoid making unsubstantiated claims, we can confidently say that Speech Blubs provides a robust platform for developing the foundational vocabulary, sentence structure, and communication confidence that are essential stepping stones towards mastering temporal words and expressing a child’s unique voice.

Visit the Speech Blubs homepage to learn more about our mission and approach, or read success stories from other families who have seen their children flourish with our support.

Making the Most of Speech Blubs: Pricing and Value

We believe in making effective speech and language support accessible to every family. That’s why we offer flexible plans for Speech Blubs, designed to fit your needs and budget.

Our Plans:

• Monthly Plan: For $14.99 per month, you get access to our core Speech Blubs app. This is a great option if you want to try it out on a short-term basis.
• Yearly Plan: For just $59.99 per year, you unlock the best value and our most comprehensive experience. This breaks down to an incredible $4.99 per month – a massive saving of 66% compared to the monthly plan!

Why the Yearly Plan is the Best Choice:

The Yearly plan isn’t just about saving money; it’s about maximizing your child’s developmental journey with a full suite of features and benefits that the Monthly plan simply doesn’t offer:

• 7-Day Free Trial: Only with the Yearly plan do you get a full 7-day free trial, allowing you to experience the app’s full potential with your child before committing.
• Bonus Reading Blubs App: The Yearly plan includes the entire Reading Blubs app, a fantastic resource to further enhance literacy skills, making it a dual benefit for your child’s language and reading development.
• Early Access & Priority Support: You’ll receive early access to new updates and features, ensuring your child always has the latest tools. Plus, you get priority 24-hour support response time, so any questions you have are answered quickly.

Choosing the Yearly plan offers continuous learning, uninterrupted progress, and significant savings, along with exclusive features designed to give your child the best possible support. It’s an investment in their long-term communication success and a commitment to nurturing their ability to express their thoughts and feelings clearly.

Ready to embark on this exciting journey? Download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Download Speech Blubs on Google Play and make sure to select the Yearly plan to get your free trial and all the exclusive features! You can also create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today directly on our website.

Conclusion

Helping your child master temporal words is a profound gift, empowering them with the ability to tell their own stories, understand the world around them, and connect with others more deeply. These words are more than just vocabulary; they are the threads that weave together experiences into a coherent narrative, making the abstract concept of time tangible and meaningful. From everyday routines to imaginative play, every moment presents an opportunity to reinforce these vital language skills.

At Speech Blubs, we are honored to be a part of your child’s communication journey. We believe that by providing engaging, scientifically-backed tools that blend learning with play, we can help children build the foundational skills needed to “speak their minds and hearts.” By fostering a love for communication, building confidence, reducing frustration, and developing key foundational skills, we aim to create joyful family learning moments that extend far beyond the screen. Remember, progress is a journey, and with consistent effort and the right resources, your child will develop the clarity and confidence to share their unique voice with the world.

Don’t wait to give your child the gift of clear communication. Take the first step today and discover how Speech Blubs can transform their language development. We encourage you to start your 7-day free trial and explore the world of interactive learning. When you sign up, remember to choose the Yearly plan to unlock the free trial, the bonus Reading Blubs app, early access to new updates, and priority 24-hour support, all for an unbeatable value. Join our community of empowered families and watch your child flourish!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the most important temporal word for a young child to learn first?

A1: For very young children, understanding “now” and “later” (or “not now”) is foundational. These simple contrasts help them grasp the immediacy of actions versus delayed gratification. As they progress, “first” and “then” become crucial for understanding sequences in daily routines, like “First we eat, then we play.”

Q2: How can I tell if my child is struggling with temporal words more than is typical for their age?

A2: While all children make mistakes, if your child consistently struggles to sequence events, frequently mixes up “yesterday” and “tomorrow,” has difficulty following multi-step instructions, or often gets frustrated when trying to explain “what happened,” it might indicate a need for more focused support. You can also refer to the developmental milestones listed in this article as a general guide. If you have concerns, consider taking our quick 3-minute preliminary screener for an initial assessment and next-steps plan.

Q3: Can Speech Blubs directly teach my child temporal words?

A3: Speech Blubs focuses on building foundational communication skills through interactive video modeling, sound imitation, and vocabulary development. While it doesn’t have a specific module titled “Temporal Words,” it significantly supports the prerequisites for understanding them. By helping children develop a strong vocabulary of verbs and actions, practice following sequences within activities, and build overall communication confidence, Speech Blubs creates a robust learning environment that naturally prepares children for mastering temporal concepts. Our “smart screen time” fosters active engagement, which is key for absorbing these complex ideas.

Q4: How long does it usually take for a child to master temporal words?

A4: The journey to mastering temporal words is a gradual process that spans several years, often beginning in toddlerhood and continuing through the early elementary years. It’s not a skill learned overnight but rather develops through consistent exposure, practice in various contexts, and explicit teaching. Some children may grasp these concepts more quickly, while others, particularly those with language delays or certain learning styles, may need more time and targeted support. The key is consistent, patient, and playful engagement from caregivers.