Speech and Language Therapy
Date of issue: November 2023
Date reviewed: xxx
Review due: xxx
If review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published.
By 27-30 months, toddlers will usually:
- become very frustrated when they cannot get their message across. This is one reason for
toddler tantrums - enjoy pretend play with their toys, such as feeding dolly or pretending to drive a car, usually
making noises and talking while playing - understand between 200 and 500 words
- understand simple questions and instructions like “where’s baby?”, “go and get your coat”,
“mummy’s turn” - use over 50 single words like ‘juice’, ‘car’, ‘biscuit’
- be starting to put short sentences together with two to three words, such as “more juice” or
“big red bus” - be asking simple questions such as “what that?”,“who that?” They might do this quite a lot!
How to encourage toddler talk:
- sharing interactive books with flaps and textures are great for introducing new words
- Sometimes wait for your toddler to start a conversation. Don’t feel you need to fill the silence
- Repeat and expand what they say, e.g. if he says “car”, you say “mummy’s car“ or “fast car”
- Give them thinking time to understand what you have said AND to think of their reply!
- Get involved in their play — follow their lead and try to be a play partner. Taking turns and
keeping your language simple helps them learn. - Keep dummies for sleep times if at all
Watch this
Through the eyes of a child - 2-3 years - YouTube
Advice Line
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East Fife: 01592 717569
West Fife: 01592 645234
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