Starting to put simple words together

I am starting to put words together and I can

  • understand and follow one task at a time like ‘get your cup’
  • sometimes put 2 words together to make a sentence like ‘mummy kiss’
  • use new words every day
  • name pictures or objects when you point at them
  • use words and noises as I am playing
  • use favourite phrases like ‘oh dear’

You can help my talking by

  • joining in my games and playing with me
  • talking with me about what we are doing
  • repeating the words I say and adding one more to give me new words to try. So when I say ‘car gone’ you say ‘yes, the big car’s gone
  • telling me the names of new people and objects as we see them
  • listening to my speech and if I make a mistake repeating the word so I can hear how it should sound
  • using gestures to help me understand new words

Activities we can share together

  • reading and talking about books and stories
  • ‘Ready, steady, go’ games
  • going outside with toys
  • hide and seek, chasing me in ‘catch’ games
  • looking at photographs to remind me of what we have done and people we know
  • making games with real objects and toys

Things to remember

  • children learn from adults. Have a special time every day to enjoy playing and talking together
  • houses are noisy places. Reduce the amount of noise by turning off the TV or radio. It is easier for children to listen without the extra noise
  • looking at each other will help your child understand how important talking is. Sit so that your child can see your face
  • too much dummy sucking can reduce the amount of talking your child does and may cause difficulties in speaking. Cut down the amount of time your child has a dummy
  • your child needs you to talk with them throughout the day. Everyday jobs and routines can be a time to talk with your child like meal times, getting dressed and undressed, bath time, going for a walk, going to the shops, on the bus or in the car