Talking: toddlers

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What to expect

Your toddler will probably start to:

• speak in correct sentences from 24 to 30 months
• be understood by strangers between 26 and 36 months
• use pronouns (I, you, me, we, they) and some plurals from 26 to 36 months
• use up to 1000 words by 36 months
• understand most of what adults say by about 36 months.

By birthday number two, your toddler will probably delight in naming everyday things such as ‘dog’ and ‘drink’. He will also be able to understand and follow a simple request such as ‘bring me your book’ or ‘wave bye-bye’.

By birthday number three, your child will probably progress to simple sentences such as, ‘Where dog gone?’ By now strangers will probably be able to understand most of what he says, even though he will still struggle to express some words clearly.

It can be frustrating for toddlers if they have so much to tell you and can’t quite get the words out. If you give him time, your toddler will get there eventually, with some confusing and hilarious misunderstandings along the way. Letting him try, and make mistakes, is all part of learning.

Learning to talk is a complex skill and any attempts to help are best if they are focused on fun rather than teaching.

Play ideas to encourage talking

The more words you expose your child to, the more words he will learn. To encourage attempts to talk through play:

• read to your toddler
• talk together about anything that comes into your head
• sing songs
• recite nursery rhymes
• use story and song tapes or CDs in the car
• explain what you’re doing, even if it’s mundane, for example: ‘Daddy's vacuuming the carpet, to get rid of all the dust that can make you sneeze’
• copy attempts at words, to encourage two-way conversation
• praise efforts to talk
• when your child is ‘talking’, show that you’re listening by smiling and looking at him; leave spaces after what you say to give him a chance to reply, even if he doesn’t have the necessary words to do so – this is how little ones learn about conversation
• expand on basic words, for example: your toddler says, ‘train’; you say, ‘yes, it’s a big red train’
• point to and name body parts: ‘Where is your mouth?’

If by 18 months your toddler is not babbling often or using meaningful words or doesn’t appear to listen when others are talking, it might be a good idea to talk to your health professional about it.

If by three years of age you can’t understand your child’s speech or he is speaking rarely, it’s wise to check with your health practitioner for advice.

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