2-3 Years: Speech-Language Developmental Milestones and Fun Activities that foster Speech-Language Growth

10/14/2014

We have another great guest blog entry from Kara Broks of Speech Language Network about Speech and Language development milestones in 2-3 year olds as well as some fun activities to help foster speech-language growth.

2-3Years

Speech-Language Developmental Milestones and Fun Activities that foster Speech-Language Growth

American Speech-Hearing Association 2014 www.asha.org

You may want to contact a Speech-Language Pathologist if your toddler: 

• Doesn’t combine words into simple sentences

• Has difficulty understanding others, or conversing and playing with other children
• Has a lack of interest in reading or drawing (basic reading and writing skills)
• Incorrect pronunciation of k,g,f,t,d,n
• Is not understood by familiar people or strangers
• Has a hoarse, breathy or nasal voice
• Has trouble with sounds or saying words
• Lengthens sounds in words)
• Has many pauses in their speech or consistently lengthens sounds in words and phrases (“bbbbbbbat” for “bat”)

It is important to remember all children are unique and will vary in their development.  If, however, your child hasn’t reached the majority of the milestones for their age group, you may wish to contact a Speech-Language Pathologist.

DAILY ACTIVITIES 2-3 years

Things you can do with your toddler to encourage and foster speech-language development; 

Expand vocabulary, communication & language awareness

• Show your child that you are interested in what he/she has to say by repeating and expanding on their words and phrases. For example, if your child says, “big elephant” you can respond by saying, “Yes, that is a very big elephant. The elephant is grey and has white tusks. Do you want to play with the elephant?”
• Put objects into a bucket and have your child remove one object at a time, saying its name. You repeat what your child says and expand upon it; “That is a ball. We can push/bounce the ball back and forth” Group these objects into categories (e.g., toys, food, clothing).
• Read books with a simple sentence and pictures on each page. Name objects and describe the picture on each page of the book. State synonyms for familiar words (e.g., dog, pet, animal) and use this new vocabulary in sentences to help your child learn it in context
• Talk about colors (e.g., “The cat’s fur is black”) & practice counting (e.g., toes and fingers, count steps as you go down them).
• Look at family photos and name the people. Use simple phrases/sentences to describe what is happening in the pictures (e.g., “Morgan swims in the pool”).
• Continue to sing songs, play finger games (“This little piggy went to market?”), and tell nursery rhymes (“Itsy Bitsy Spider”). These songs and games introduce your child to the rhythm and sounds of language.
• Ask your child questions that require a choice, rather than simply a “yes” or “no” answer. For example, “Would you like the blue or the red cup?” Be sure to wait for the answer, and reinforce successful communication: “Thank you for telling mommy which cup you want.  I’ll put your juice in the blue cup.”

If you have any questions please feel free to email: info@pseechlanguagenetwork.net and/or call 306 933-3222 to book a free consultation with a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist.

Enjoy & Have Fun!

Anna Nissen

B.A (Linguistics – U of S)

Kara Broks

Registered Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Network