Let's learn about your 2-3 year old's toddler communication.

Talking to our little ones, interacting with them, is one of the greatest joys we get as parents, isn't it? Words cannot describe the joy we feel when we hear those little voices, new words, and little stories they tell. Little ones learn from the conversations we have with them every day, from the things they see and hear in the world around them. So, today we'll talk about how your two- to three-year-old's speech , that is, language skills, develop, and how we can help with that.

How do you talk to your children these days?

Between the ages of two and three, children's language skills, that is, the way they speak and understand words, develop amazingly. It's like climbing a staircase! During this time, their vocabulary grows, they begin to form sentences, and they are able to understand what others are saying.

How are you at two years old?

When your little one is about two years old, they will start doing things like this:

• Saying two words together: Most toddlers start saying at least two words together. Think of small sentences like "Mommy, rice," "Baby, run," and "I want water." This is a big leap in their speech.
• At 30 months (2 ½ years):
• Says 50 words or more: By now, they have added about 50 words to their vocabulary. Some kids know even more words.
• People only understand half of what they say: People only understand half of what they say clearly. Sometimes it takes a little thinking to understand what they say, and that's normal. Don't worry about it.
• They use words like "I", "me", and "we": They start using these words to talk about themselves and the things they want.
• Understand and follow two-step instructions: Most toddlers can understand and follow two simple instructions given to them in a row. For example, if we say, "Take the ball and bring it to Daddy," they will be able to do it. Another example is, "Put your slippers on and come into the living room."

What happens when you turn three?

By the time your little one is three years old, their speech should be much more developed. Here are some things to consider:

• A vocabulary of over 200 words: A toddler's vocabulary usually exceeds 200 words. Imagine how many words that is! They love learning new words at this age.
• They are able to form sentences of two or three words: "The baby is drinking milk", "Dad went to work", "I want to play" and speak.
• Can have a conversation: They can have a small conversation with you, talking back and forth at least twice. When you ask something, you answer, they say something, and you answer back.
• Others often understand: Most of the time, what your child says will reach a level where others (not just family members, but even strangers) can understand it.

Remember, not all babies are the same. Some babies start talking a little earlier, some a little later. These are just general guidelines.

How can we help our child develop their speech?

There are many things we can do to improve our children's language skills. Simply put, the more we talk to them and play with them, the more they learn new things. It's like watering and fertilizing a plant and making it grow.

Here are a few small things you can do:

• Talk about everything: Talk to your little one about what they did that day and what they have to do tomorrow. Ask things like, "Isn't it raining today? What are we doing indoors?" Or talk about what happened the day before bed. "We went to grandma's house today, right? What did you see there?" These kinds of stories help them learn new words and tell things like the order of events.
• Play make-believe games: Play pretend games like a doctor, a teacher, a shopkeeper. These will help them develop their thinking skills, learn new words, and problem-solving skills. Play with them and they will learn more.
• Read books together: Read their favorite books together. Choose books with beautiful pictures. Point to the pictures in the book and ask questions like, "What is this?", "What is the cat doing?", "What color is this?" Encourage them to answer with words. Or let them "read" the story to you. The stories they make up will be so interesting! Reading books not only develops their vocabulary and listening skills, but also their imagination.
• Sing songs and say words to the beat: Little ones love to listen to songs and hear things said to the beat. Sing simple songs with them. They will be even happier if you sing the songs while moving your arms and legs.
• Ask questions, answer their questions: Patiently answer their questions like "Why?" and "What?" Ask them simple questions too. Like "What did you eat today?" and "What's your favorite toy?"
• Pay attention to what they say: When your child is trying to tell you something, look at them and listen carefully to what they are saying. This will show them that you appreciate them and they will be more interested in talking.
• Correct, but gently: If your child says a word incorrectly, instead of scolding them with "No, no, that's not true," show them that you mean the word correctly. For example, if your child says "Daddy," smile and say, "Yes, Daddy's here."

When should I see a doctor?

Most of the time, speech development in toddlers is normal. However, sometimes there can be slight delays. If you have any doubts or concerns about your child's speech or word use, it's best to talk to a doctor about it.

Here are some things to be aware of, especially if your little one can't see these by the time they're about three years old:

• If your child is not saying at least 50 words by 30 months (2 ½ years).
• Even at 30 months, if you point to something in a book and ask, "What is this?" and can't name it (for example, if you point to a ball and ask, "Bole" and can't say it)
• Even at 3 years old, if you can't describe an action in a picture, for example, "running", "eating", or "sleeping".
• If they don't ask questions like "Who?", "What?", "Where?", "Why?" (They are very eager to ask questions at this age)
• If you can't say your first name when asked.
• Even their family members don't really understand what they're saying, and most of the time, their words aren't clear.
• If you think your child doesn't hear well (if they don't look back when you talk, if they don't respond to sounds well)

If you notice something like this, please don't be afraid or panic and see your family doctor or pediatrician . Sometimes it can be something simple. Or, you may need a little help, perhaps a speech therapist . The sooner you identify these things, the better your child will be able to get the help they need and help them improve their speaking skills. Sometimes, a doctor may also refer you to a hearing test to check your child's hearing.

The most important thing to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, Mom and Dad, this is a wonderful time when your little one's speech is developing.

• Your attention, your talk, your play are their greatest teachers. Talk to them, play with them, read books as much as possible.
• Every baby is different. They develop at their own pace. Don't compare them to other babies.
• If in doubt, seek help. Consulting a doctor will help ease your burden and give your little one the support they need.

You will have a beautiful time when your little one's voice fills the whole house and your heart is filled with joy with their little stories!

Children's speech, young children, language development , parenting tips , word learning, speech delay,Doctor's advice , toddler communication Sinhala , child language development Sri Lanka