How communication develops from 18 months to 3 years old
At 18 months your toddler will probably try to:
- say some words- these may only be understood by family members at this stage.
- point to tell you what they see.
- look at people and objects as you are naming them.
- copy everyday sounds such as transport and animal sounds e.g. ‘beep beep’, ‘neigh’.
- sing along to songs that you both know.
- They might also be chatting to you in babble – don’t worry; this is normal!
At 2 years of age your child may be:
- using around 50 words spontaneously.
- starting to join two words together e.g. “my teddy.”
- understanding words and phrases without cues.
- using these sounds in their speech – p,b,t,d,n,m.
- using pretend play e.g. feeding dolls or teddies.
By 2½ years your child may be:
- using a wider range of vocabulary.
- putting two words together to tell you things.
- understanding simple questions and instructions such as ‘where’s mummy’s coat?’
- using the sounds p,b,t,d,n,m and w.
At around 3 years old your child may:
- starting to use 3 + words together to say what’s happening.
- using questions including ‘where?’, ‘what?’ and ‘who?
- enjoying simple stories with pictures.
- understand longer instructions, and responding to common action words and describing words.
- Have some time every day for play.
- Switch off the TV and radio so it’s quiet when you are playing.
- Chat about what you’re doing together.
- Listen to what your child is saying and add some new words, e.g. “Great, that’s a big, spotty ball.”
- Use lots of praise, for example, “Good talking!”
Remember children develop at different rates. If you have any queries regarding your child’s development please speak to your Health Visitor or contact your local Speech and Language Therapy department here.
Everything you need to know about your growing 2-year-old.
By the age of 2, your toddler is talking, walking, climbing, jumping, running and bustling with energy. Your child now has a growing vocabulary and acquires new words on a regular basis. She/he can sort shapes and colours and may even show an interest in potty training. As your little one grows more independent, she/he may show signs of defiance as she/he begins to push boundaries and explore the world around her/him.
Social and emotional milestones at 2 years
Some of the ways you’ll see your little one learning to connect with the people around him at 2 years.
- Likes to copy adults and other children.
- Gets excited when he’s with other children.
- He is more independent, even more defiant.
Tips for parents
- Find opportunities to engage in play and conversations with your toddler. Playtime could be as simple as rolling a ball back and forth, handing you their toys or helping you with safe activities like folding clothes with your supervision. These types of activities can help develop pro-social behaviours by fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration with others.
Language and communication milestones at 2 years
How your toddler is expressing her needs.
- Says short sentences with two to four words.
- Points to things when they are named.
- Knows familiar body parts.
- Recognizes familiar people.
- Repeats words she has overheard and follows simple instructions.
Tips for parents
- When taking her for a walk, tell her the names of things you see.
Brain development milestones at 2 years
Your child’s brain is growing!
- Starts to sort shapes and colours.
- Can find things hidden under multiple layers.
- Completes sentences in familiar books.
- Plays simple make-believe games.
- Builds towers with four or more blocks.
- Can follow two-step instructions.
- May start to develop a dominant hand.
Tips for parents
- Encourage him to go looking around the room for objects you hide and give him hints.
Movement and physical development milestones at 2 years
How she’ll move through her environment.
- Can run, kick a ball and throw a ball overhead.
- Is starting to run.
- Climbs up and down from furniture without assistance.
- Makes or copies straight lines and circles.
Tips for parents
- Create little fine-motor skills challenges for your toddler, like asking her to turn the page of a book.
Food and nutrition milestones at 2 years
What mealtimes look like at 2 years.
- Chews with full jaw movements.
- Uses utensils with some spills.
Tips for parents
- Be calm and accepting. Give your child positive attention when he does eat, but don’t make it a problem when he doesn’t eat. Just take the food away, cover it, and offer it to him again a bit later.
Things to look out for
While all children develop differently, you should speak to your paediatrician if your 2-year-old:
- Doesn’t know how to use common objects.
- Doesn’t use two-word phrases.
- Doesn’t copy actions or repeat words.
- Doesn’t follow basic directions.
- Can’t walk steadily.
- Loses skills she once had.