Speech, Language and Communication Journey: Stages

2-3 Years

Play with me, sing to me and talk to me all the time

Did you know...?

I can remember short stories with pictures
I can understand simple questions and longer instructions now e.g. ‘make teddy jump’
I can use up to 300 words and put 4 or 5 words together into a sentence
I can listen to and understand a simple story with pictures, although I can still get easily distracted at times
I understand simple ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘where’ questions
I ask lots of questions. This helps me to learn new words
I am starting to add ‘s’ to words to show there is more than one of something. g. ‘shoe’ becomes ‘shoes’
I am using more sounds in words e.g. p, b, t, d, m, n, w, k and g but might still make some mistakes. If you know me well, you should understand most of what I am saying
I am starting to be interested in other children’s play and want to join in
I am beginning to talk about me, for example I can say what I like and don’t like.
I can answer simple questions about objects, for example ‘which one do we eat with?’

Things to do with me

Let me join in the jobs you are doing and talk to me about them. This will let me learn new words and then I will start to use these
Make sure that you get down to my eye level when you are talking to me
Give me time to think about my response when you ask me a question (count to 10 before asking me again)
For every four comments that you make, don’t ask me more than one question
By adding words to my sentence you’re showing me how I can make my sentences longer e.g. ‘that is a fast red car’
If I say something incorrectly, repeat it by using the correct sounds or words, don’t ask me to say it again

Additional Support

If your child is not yet doing these things, discuss with your Health Visitor, GP or Early Years Professional in a nursery setting who can provide advice and support.
Look at the BBC Tiny Happy People website and social media for more ideas of things to do with your child.
Look at the timetables for your local Family Hub for more advice and activities local to you

Note:

At this age, it is typical for children to stammer (repeat their sounds or words). If they carry on doing this for longer than 2-3 months, speak to your Health Visitor or nursery key worker. A referral to Speech and Language Therapy would be helpful.

Referrals

Referrals can be made to the Early Years and Portage teams and to the Speech and Language Therapy team. Speak to your Health Visitor or your child’s nursery key worker for advice.