What skills develop between 2 and 3 years?

These are some general abilities you should expect to see your child accomplish between 2 and 3 years old.

• Understands simple opposites (go-stop, up-down, big-little)

• Follows 2-step directions (Get your shoes, and put them on)

• Listens to stories for longer periods of time

• Has a word for almost everything

• Uses 2-3 words to talk about and ask for things

• Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n sounds

• Familiar listeners can understand their speech most of the time

• Asks for or directs attention to things by naming them

• Asks “why?”

What can I do to help my toddler’s skills develop and build between 2 and 3 years old?

• Model clear, simple speech and short phrases.

• Read! Introduce new vocabulary, and talk about colors and numbers.

• Label objects, actions, adjectives, and people.

• Sing songs, rhyme, and play games. Make learning fun!

• Repeat what your child says and then expand on it. For example, if your child says, “big dog,” you can respond “Yes, that is a big dog. It is brown. Dog says ‘woof.’ We can pet the dog.”

• Let your child know that what they have to say is important to you even when you don’t understand. Explain what you did understand, then ask them to repeat what you didn’t understand.

If you’re concerned about your child’s language or speech development, please call and set up a free consultation at (253) 237-3405.

#Language #Parenteducation #Developmentalnorms #Development #Earlyintervention