When a child is following a typical pattern of language development, before they begin to join words together they need to be confident in using a range of single words.
When your child is ready, encourage them to begin to put words together within everyday situations.
Children need to hear two words together before they can begin to use them.
Snack time
- Talk about what’s happening e.g. “drinking milk”, “yummy biscuit”.
- When your child has finished eating, say “more apple?”
Play time
- Why not have a tea party with teddies and use phrases such as “more biscuit”, “drink juice” and “teddy finished”.
- When you’re playing, try pausing during the activity to encourage your child to tell you if they would like to continue. Ask them “more bubbles?”, “another song?”
- Use building bricks to make a tower. Talk about “another brick”, “your turn”, “my turn” and “falling down.”
Action games
- Use a ball and take turns to pass it to each other. Use phrases like “roll ball”, “throw ball”, “catch ball”.
- Have fun with teddy and dolly and talk about what they are doing, e.g. “teddy sleep”, “feed dolly”.
- Try a copying game, e.g. “Mummy jump”, “Daniel jump”, “Daddy run”, “Stacey run.”
- Try action songs such as “This is the way we …..wash our face”, “brush our hair”, “dry our hands”. Or “If you’re happy and you know it …..clap your hands”, “stamp your feet”, “pat your head”, etc.
Helping around the house
- Let your child help sort the washing: “Mummy’s jumper”, “Daddy’s socks”, “Dean’s trousers.”
- Let your child help put away the shopping: “heavy bags”, “tasty apples”, “little sausages”, “big bananas.”
Bath time and bedtime
- Have fun at bath time: “Splash Mummy”, “pour water”, “wash hair”, “blow bubbles.”
- Talk about bedtime: “spotty pyjamas”, “read story”, “brush teeth.”
Expand on what your child is saying. Start to model two words together when your child says one:
“ball”
“yes, it’s a big ball”
Remember to pause and give your child opportunities to imitate and repeat.
Give your child lots of praise when they are using new words or putting words together.