Developing early conversational skills

During the second year, most children will learn about fifty new words. They are learning to understand simple turn-taking rules and are beginning to really converse with adults.

By 18 months: Toddler repeats some overheard words and usually tries to communicate using real words—not just gestures. May begin getting ready to put phrases together by linking single words with a long pause in between:

"Mommy . . . cookie!"

"Doggie . . . go!"

"All gone . . . milk."

By 2 years: Most children use simple two-word phrases such as bye-bye daddy or more cookie. Since they have become skillful at joining single words, pauses between words decrease. During this year, the child begins making different kinds of short, phrases in order to talk about objects, locations, and actions. The two-year-old will use words to control adults behavior, to request toys, to answer questions and, of course, to reject some foods or, perhaps, a wet washcloth.

By 2½ years: Children use more short phrases than single words. They usually begin to put together some three- and four-word phrases. At this age, your child will probably sit with you and go through a picture book, repeating names of animals or vehicles and making the appropriate noises. More turn-taking is obvious during conversations.

Mastering language forms

The three-year-old is rapidly mastering grammatical skills.

Children between two and three years old use very simple phrases; they often omit many word endings and small "helping words" (such as is, are, and and).

They can use many different kinds of words in conversation. At this age, children learn to join short sentences together to make longer ones and begin to use plurals (cars, cookies). They use some basic prepositions (such as on, off, in, and out) and adjectives (such as big and little) to describe things.

In contrast, three-year-olds are rapidly learning to use verb tenses, helping verbs, and other language forms to talk about past experiences as well as about what is going on in the present.

Language uses are expanding at this age. The three-year-old asks "what," "where," and "who" questions and is able to discuss a single topic over several listener-speaker turns. Many three-year-olds will use language imaginatively while playing with dolls and toy animals.

What do children need in order to develop expressive language skills?

Talk with your child! Children learn to use new words, grammatical forms, and rules for conversation by listening. Teach your child the names of toys, family members, pets, foods, clothing, and places you visit together. Talk about the activities such as playing, cooking, shopping, and household chores that you share with your child. Really listen to whatever your child has to say, rather than asking questions or trying to make your child repeat words after you say them.

What if my child is slow in learning to talk?

See a speech-language pathologist if you think your child is late in developing expressive language skills. This specialist will determine whether there is a problem with your child's language. If help is needed, the speech-language pathologist will recommend an individual program of activities and will pro- vide therapy if appropriate.

Summary

The first three years of life provide the foundation for the development of expressive language. The three-year-old has the ability to participate in conversations and can communicate effectively in simple but complete sentences. Remember, the more you talk with your very young child, the more you help your child learn to talk.

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