1-Word, 2-Words…Develop Talking Skills For Your Toddler
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
How to develop talking skills for your toddler….when should your toddler start combining words and thoughts, and how you can help them get their faster.
Their first word is a milestone…now let’s start combining words! These steps will make a huge difference in your child’s speech now and into the future.
Continues below…
Your toddler’s first two-word combination is important to develop talking skills for your toddler as their first single word.
The two-word milestone is of equal important to develop talking skills for your toddler’s language development . When children first combine words, they are beginning to express two ideas with two words. A common first two word utterance from a toddler, may be something like “Mommy, Yes,” to indicate they want something. This is an early stage combination. As their language skills mature, they begin to add verbs to the mix, such as “eat cookie.” When verbs are included in their combinations, they are laying the foundation for future sentence structure and the overall development of their speech and language.
Toddler Tip: 2 Words @ 2 Years
Toddler Tip #1: 2 words by 2 years!
First words are expected to emerge around 15 months of age, toddlers are
expected to combine words around 24 months, at age two. This makes it convenient to remember: two-word combinations by age two.
Learn what words to combine first with us!
Toddler Tip #2: 2 words = 2 ideas.
Toddlers often will say two words together like night-night and bye bye. But these are not examples of the two-word combinations we are looking for. When toddlers use these kinds of words, they are really just expressing one thought or one chunk of language, rather than two separate words that express two different ideas.
5 ways you can help develop talking skills for your toddler’s speech and be ready for two-word phrases:
While our rule of thumb is “two words at about two years old,” we also know that this is a general guideline, and children will develop at their own pace. So what is important is to see your child demonstrating some of the prerequisite skills.
1. Increase vocabulary to include verbs, adjectives and prepositions.
It’s important to make sure that your child’s expressive vocabulary includes a wider variety of words besides nouns.
In the English language, we are heavy users of nouns, especially when our children are very young. We tend to label everything. This isn’t the case in all languages, but it’s definitely true in English.
Nouns/labels: Cat, Dog, Car, Phone, Truck, Tree, Bush, etc.
Add Verbs: Dog Runs, Phone Rings, Truck Goes, etc.
And Prepositions: Dog Runs To the Ball. Cat is In the House On the Couch, etc.
So for this reason, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions need to be modeled by parents for your child. When you are playing, when they have an increased variety of words at their disposal, they will be more likely to then start combining these words together.
2. Watch for gesturing.
Another sign that your child is getting close to taking the next step in their language development is when they use a word and a supplementary gesture.
So for example, if a child points to their favorite blanket and says, “Daddy,” they may be starting to express those two ideas: “I want,” and “blanket.” “Can I please have my blanket?,” or “Will you get my blanket Daddy?” or “There’s my blanket.” Or, if they point up at Mommy and hold their hands up, saying “Mommy,” it’s likely they are indicating, “Mommy, I want up.” In essence, they have two ideas they are expressing to you.
3. Expand on your toddler’s phrases.
You can expand your child’s utterances. So, from our earlier example, if your child says “blanket” and also uses a gesture, you could expand on that by saying “oh, you want your blanket?”
If they are very young, you can make it very short. For example, if your child points to a truck and says “truck,” you can say, “big truck,” and even add gestures to your communication in order to help your child add supplementary gestures to their repertoire. And remember, pairing a word with a gesture is a first step.
4. Be specific.
Children often will default to “go” or “want” for a wide variety of needs. We recommend using the true action words to be more specific and widen their vocabulary early.
5. Do more at reading time with this proven technique – dialogic reading.
When you engage more during reading time, your toddler will expand their language skills even faster. Engage in dialogic reading with your child. Dialogic book reading is when you follow your child’s lead by asking questions and leading them to respond in longer and longer phrases.
When should you be concerned if your toddler is not using two-word combinations?
Recent studies have shown that the late emergence of two-word combinations from toddlers is related to future language difficulties. A common term you might hear is “Speech Delay” about children who aren’t talking as early as expected. And when there is a delay for starting on combining words, that also can be a signal that your child may benefit from some extra practice or help from a speech therapist for toddlers.
If your child has turned two, and they do not have action words, verbs, adjectives like “big” and “little,” or prepositions like “in,” or “on” in their expressive vocabulary. Or they have not begun to produce two-word combinations, it would be helpful to seek out an assessment with a speech language pathologist. At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my toddler start combining two words together?
Most toddlers begin combining two words, like 'more juice' or 'daddy go,' around 18 to 24 months. If your child is closer to two years old and still using mostly single words, it is a good idea to consult a speech-language pathologist. Early support makes a meaningful difference in building strong communication skills.
How can I encourage my toddler to use more words throughout the day?
Simple, consistent routines are your best tool. Narrate what you are doing, offer choices that require a word to answer, and pause after asking a question to give your child time to respond. Reading aloud daily, singing songs, and repeating words in context all help toddlers build vocabulary in a natural, low-pressure way.
What is the difference between a speech delay and a language delay in toddlers?
A speech delay refers to difficulty with the sounds and clarity of spoken words, while a language delay involves trouble understanding or using words and sentences. Both can affect a toddler's ability to communicate, and they sometimes overlap. A licensed speech-language pathologist can evaluate your child and identify which area needs the most support.
Should I be worried if my toddler uses gestures instead of words?
Gestures like pointing, waving, and reaching are healthy early communication skills and a good sign that your toddler wants to connect. However, if gestures are replacing words rather than accompanying them by around 12 to 18 months, it is worth monitoring closely. You can encourage words by labeling what your child points to and modeling the word every time they gesture.
How do I get speech therapy for my toddler without a long wait?
Finding timely help used to be a real challenge for families, but Better Speech offers licensed speech-language pathologists with no waitlists and accepts most major insurance plans. Sessions happen online, making it easy to fit therapy into your toddler's regular routine. Getting started sooner rather than later gives your child the best window for rapid language growth.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
