Between two and three years, children often make rapid gains in understanding and using language. Development varies, so milestones are best used as a guide rather than a pass-or-fail checklist.
Communication skills you may notice
- Using a growing range of words for familiar people, objects and actions
- Combining words into short phrases and early sentences
- Following simple instructions in familiar routines
- Using language to request, comment, protest and get attention
- Becoming easier for familiar adults to understand
Easy ways to encourage language
Talk about what your child is looking at and doing. Name body parts during bath time, use short phrases during play, pause to give your child a turn, and expand what they say by adding one or two words.
When to ask for advice
If you are worried that your child is not understanding everyday language, is using very few words, has lost skills, or is difficult to understand, a speech-language assessment can help clarify the next step.
Important: This information is educational and does not replace an individual assessment.