Toddler Language Development

Toddler language development is just as breathtaking as all the new adventures waiting to happen between the ages of 1 to 3. Every day brings something new as children’s communication skills develop. As they learn more words, toddlers progress from one-word and two-word utterances to simple sentences.

Young children are also developing rapidly in all the areas of development as they master new skills and the art of movement. Soon a toddler’s favourite sentence becomes:

“I do it!”

It is incredibly important to keep an eye on what these determined young explorers are doing at all times. Never underestimate the resourcefulness of an on-the-go toddler. We always need to stay a step ahead and do constant safety checks to ensure no harm can come their way.

As parents and all the caring adults we have a vital role in promoting children’s language acquisition and development.

Talking, singing, rhyming, playing and reading to children help toddlers thrive and learn to their full potential.

Promoting Toddlers’ Language Development

Toddlers acquire language by hearing the words we say while engaging in all the natural conversations of the day. Repetitions through our daily interactions promote understanding of words and encourage children to say interesting words aloud.

Busy boys and girls love learning through play. Different kinds of play activities, in the course of a balanced day, boost toddlers’ development and speech, as children:

Engage in play and exciting toddler activities
Listen to stories and look at pictures in delightful books for toddlers
Have fun enjoying rhymes, songs and dancing to music. All these activities build toddlers’ developing literacy skills.

Language Development Ages 1-2

At this stage toddlers will probably be saying or attempting to say a few words. Children vary enormously. Some children might say nothing at all for a while and then suddenly come out with a full sentence. Other children will continually attempt to say a few words to communicate and make themselves understood, and gradually build up sentences.

Between the ages of 1-2, children will probably:

Say two or three words and learn new words each day
Say words that might be easy to recognise by familiar adults but more difficult for others. Practice makes perfect, repeat the words correctly while engaging children in interesting conversations to promote their speech development
Point to objects when asked
Love naming everyday objects
Be able to use about 20 words and understand many more
May produce speech sounds and intonation while pretending to hold a conversation.

Language Development Ages 2-3

The best way to promote language is to join toddlers on their exciting adventures. Point to things and name them. Talk about the seasons, leaves on the trees, the flowers that grow, the sandcastles in the sandpit, the lovely tea party your toddler is hosting. All of this will boost children’s observation skills, vocabulary, memory and language development.

It is important to note that toddlers’ cognitive, movement skills, and understanding of language, are ahead of their ability to speak. Words are still inadequate to express their needs and feelings. This can lead to frustration in younger toddlers and lead to conflict with caring adults and other children around them. It is best to pre-empt frustrations and soothe them with love and affection by talking to children about how they feel.

Between the ages of 2-3, children will probably:

Speak in simple sentences linking two to three words: “I walking”, “I doing”
Be able to say the names of family members, pets and friends
Begin to use adjectives: big, small, happy, pretty, hot, cold
Begin to use prepositions: up, down, on, off
Use some pronouns, especially “mine”
Add “s” to make a plural and to indicate possession
Answer simple questions: Where is your shoe? What does the cat say?
Enjoy action rhymes and join in the actions: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; Ba, Ba Black Sheep; Mary Had a Little Lamb; I Love You (Barney’s song)

Toddler language acquisition is a wonderful and delightful adventure. Enjoy and love every moment.

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References

Bowen, C. (1998), Typical speech and language acquisition in infants and young children.

Lathey, N., & Blake, T. (2013). Small Talk: Simple ways to boost your child’s speech and language development from birth. London, Macmillan Publishers Limited.