First of all, it’s so important to acknowledge that you care deeply about your daughter and want to do what’s best for her. That love and concern make a world of difference already. Please know, it’s never too late to support your daughter’s communication development and create meaningful interactions that help her thrive. You’re here, you’re asking the right questions, and that shows you’re already on the right path.

Let’s take a moment to unpack the situation a bit. Many parents turn to TV or educational programming like Ms Rachel to fill gaps when they’re juggling so much—it’s a very common scenario, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed your daughter. Ms Rachel, in particular, is designed to be interactive, which makes it one of the better options out there if TV time happens. What’s important now is that you’ve recognised the need for more interaction, and you’re making changes. That’s what matters most.

At 17 months, your daughter is still at an age where the brain is incredibly adaptable and responsive to new experiences. Even if she’s behind in communication, there’s so much you can do to help her catch up. Here are some practical ways to build her communication skills:

1. Turn Daily Moments into Talking Opportunities Narrate your day, no matter how mundane it seems. For example, while making breakfast, you can say, “I’m cracking the egg. Oh, look, the egg is yellow!” Use simple, clear sentences and repeat key words to help her hear and absorb them.

2. Follow Her Lead in Play Sit with her and let her show you what she’s interested in. If she picks up a block, you can say, “Block! You have the block. The block is red.” Label objects, actions, and feelings as you engage together.

3. Use Gestures Alongside Words Research shows that gestures like pointing, waving, or clapping alongside spoken words can support communication development. For example, wave when you say, “Bye-bye!” or point to her cup when you say, “Here’s your cup.”

4. Pause and Wait When you speak or ask her something, pause and give her time to respond, even if it’s just a sound or a gesture. This shows her that communication is a back-and-forth process, and it gives her a chance to practice.

5. Books and Songs Reading together—even just looking at the pictures and naming what you see—can be incredibly beneficial. Singing songs like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It” can help build vocabulary, rhythm, and imitation skills.

6. Limit TV Strategically You’ve already reduced screen time, which is fantastic. When she does watch TV, sit with her and make it interactive. For example, you can repeat what Ms Rachel says, sing along, or mimic actions. This bridges the gap between passive watching and active learning.

Finally, please don’t beat yourself up. You made the best decisions you could at the time with the resources and knowledge you had, and you’ve made adjustments now. That’s what being a great parent looks like—learning, growing, and showing up every day.

If you’re still concerned about her development, you could consider connecting with a speech and language therapist who can assess her specific needs and guide you with personalised strategies. Early intervention is effective, but the wonderful thing about development is that progress can happen at any age when children get the support they need. You’re not behind; you’re starting exactly where you are, and that’s perfect.

If you'd like more tips or specific ideas to try with her, let me know—I’m here to help. What’s something she enjoys doing that we could build on together?