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By 2 Years - Ages and Stages

The developmental milestones listed below mark the progress of young children as they learn to communicate and develop their speech and language skills.

You will find:

• Milestones

• Things you can try at home

• Information on play development

• Teachable moments

• What to watch out for

If your child is not meeting one or more of the developmental milestones or if you are concerned about your child's speech and language development please contact us at:

1-888-503-8885

Milestones:

• Tries to copy your words

• Uses a variety of words and gestures to communicate and ask for help e.g. waving, pushing away, pointing

• Uses 100-150 words and combines 2 words, e.g. "More juice." "Want cookie."

• Follows two-step instructions e.g. "Go find your teddy bear and show it to Grandma."

• Takes turns in a conversation

• Asks for something by pointing and using sounds or words

• Begins to offer toys to peers and imitates other children's actions and words

• People can understand his/her words 50 to 60 percent of the time

• Uses many different speech sounds at beginning of words (p,b,m,t,d,n,h,w)

• Enjoys being with other children

• Learns and uses one or more new words a week; may only be understood by family

• Uses at least two pronouns: "you, me, or mine"

• Forms words and sounds effortlessly

Things to try at home:

• Give your child a choice of favourite songs to sing: "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" or "Wheels on the Bus".

• Repeat back what your child says in short but correct sentences.

• Teach your child describing words-colours, size, shapes, and textures. Use a new describing word over and over in your day so your child learns it.

• TV alone cannot teach your child to talk. Your child needs your help to learn from TV. Sit with your child, talk about what is happening, then guess what will happen next. Give words to the activities that your child is watching.

Play:

• Likes to play alone or beside other children.

• Begins to take turns with other children (run & chase games).

• Likes to pretend to feed a baby, drive a car, or be an animal.

Teachable Moments:

• Choose books with large, clear pictures. Make up your own story or take turns pointing to and talking about people and things in the pictures.

• Hide toys under/behind pillows, blankets and furniture. Have fun asking "Where?"

• Expand your child's world: meet new people, go to new places, share toys and books with friends.

Watch out for:

• Repeated ear infections.

• If fluid is in one or both ears, for more than two months, even without infection.

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