Toddler Years
When babies grow into toddlers, they learn many new words! Between ages 1 and 2, they go from saying just a few words to talking in short sentences. Let’s learn about how this happens.
First Steps in Talking (12-18 Months)
When toddlers are just starting to talk, they use about 10-50 words. They usually say simple words like:
- Mama
- Dada
- Ball
- Dog
- No
- More
Even though they don’t say many words, they understand a lot more! They can follow simple directions like “bring me your shoes” or “give me the cup.” They also point to things they want while saying a word, like pointing to milk and saying “milk.”
Getting Better at Talking (18-24 Months)
As toddlers get older, they learn many more words. By age 2, most kids know 50-300 words! They start putting two words together, like:
- “More milk”
- “Daddy go”
- “Big dog”
- “My toy”
They also start asking questions and can have simple back-and-forth talks with grown-ups.
How Parents Can Help
There are many fun ways to help your toddler learn to talk:
Read Together
Read books every day with your toddler. Pick books with:
- Simple stories
- Big, clear pictures
- Words that repeat
Talk A Lot
Tell your toddler about what you’re doing. Say things like:
- “Now we’re putting on your red shoes”
- “Look at the big yellow bus”
- “Time to eat your yummy lunch”
Play and Sing
Make talking fun! You can:
- Sing songs together
- Play naming games with toys
- Talk about colors and shapes while you play
When to Ask for Help
Sometimes toddlers need extra help learning to talk. Talk to your doctor if your child:
- Isn’t using any words by age 1
- Uses less than 10 words by 18 months
- Isn’t putting two words together by age 2
- Stops using words they used to know
- Doesn’t look at you when you call their name
Remember
Every child learns to talk at their own speed. Some learn quickly, and others take more time. The most important thing is to:
- Talk to your child a lot
- Read together every day
- Make learning fun
- Ask your doctor if you’re worried
If you want to learn more, you can talk to:
- Your child’s doctor
- A speech teacher
- Your local children’s hospital
- Call 211 in Westchester County for more local resources and free information.
They can give you more ideas to help your toddler learn and grow!
