By two years old, your child will have hit a lot of exciting milestones. From the first time they hold their own head up to their first steps, you’ll discover something new about them every day.
Of course, the ‘goos’ and ‘gaas' are also very exciting in the early stages as you prepare for them to start speaking; all the while hoping you’ll be their first word.
So, what happens when those words have not started to come through yet?
If your little one is staying very quiet after the age of two, it can be a bit concerning. But before you lose any sleep over it, check out this guide on what’s normal for that age group, and how you can address speech, language and communication difficulties as simply and effectively as possible.
What should I expect from my two-year-old?
By the age of two, the average child will have built up a core vocabulary of around one to two hundred words. In most cases, they will also be able to join two words together, for example, saying ‘yes mummy’ or ‘look dog’.
Of course, every child varies, and they may have more or less words in their lexicon by this point. But as a general rule, most children should have mastered at least some of the keywords by now.
So, is it normal that my two-year-old has a speech delay?
Now, just because this is the norm for the ‘average’ two-year-old, it doesn't mean this is always the case.
So, before you panic, it’s worth knowing that just over one in 10 (13%) two-year-olds in the UK are late talkers. This means that they do not begin speaking until after the two-year marker, and it isn’t necessarily always something to worry about. Just as some children are later to walk, crawl or learn to use the potty, some children are slightly late to learn to talk and just need a little longer than others.
That being said, if you’re worried that your child’s talking isn’t where it should be, or that there might be another reason why your child’s communication skills are delayed, it’s best to address the problem right away.
The sooner you address a speech delay, the sooner you can identify the underlying problem and start to support your child. Early intervention is always best.
How to support your child if you’re worried they may have a speech delay
If you are concerned about your child’s talking but you aren’t sure how to support them, you are not alone.
Most of the time, children passively acquire language and learn from what they hear around them, which is pretty impressive in itself. When this isn’t the case however, we often stop to think just how complex the process of learning to talk is, and how we can go about actively teaching words.
The good news is that there are lots of things you can do at home to help your child along the way. Here are some top tips:
- It may seem simple, but one of the most important things you can do to support your child to learn language is to expose them to more of it. Be conscious of taking the time to talk to your child as much as possible. You can do this through playtime by using toys and games; during daily routines such as bath time or getting dressed, or simply when you’re out and about.
- During playtime, be sure to follow your child’s lead, talking about what it is that they are interested in and doing. Your child is much more likely to pick up animal vocabulary if they have a favourite farm set, or the words for vehicles if they enjoy playing with a little garage.
- Praise and encourage your child when they make sounds and word attempts by repeating it back to them and showing them that you have understood. Even if it’s just a noise to name an animal or a fire engine, these count as first words in your child’s vocabulary, and are a valid way for your child to communicate and name things.
- Using pointing and gesture can help your child to associate words with particular items or actions. For example, making a gesture for ‘drink’ alongside the word will help your child to understand what this word means, and will also give them a way of telling you that they would like a drink until they can say the spoken word consistently.
- As well as speaking to your child naturally, singing is a brilliant way to grab your child’s attention, support them to listen and join in, and help learning words be a bit more fun. As nursery rhymes become more familiar, your child will begin to anticipate the words that are coming next, and may start to join in by attempting to sing along with you.
- Book sharing is also a great way to support language development. Notice that we have advised ‘book sharing’ and not ‘reading books together.’ You don’t need to insist that your child sits quietly and pays attention as you read each line in the story. Book sharing makes reference to the point above about letting your child take the lead in play. They might just want to turn the pages as you name the pictures, or they might point to things as you say them out loud.
It is important that any activity you do with your child is enjoyable for them, and you can adapt books to meet your child’s interests and development if they aren’t ready to sit down for story time just yet.
Keep in mind that if you use long, complex sentences with your toddler, they may find it difficult to understand the words you have used.
Make an effort to use slower, clear speech with your two-year-old. Using fewer words and emphasizing the key vocabulary in a sentence will help make these words stand out, and will make them easier for your child to learn.
What if this is not working and I’m still concerned?
If you feel that you’re doing all you can to encourage your little one to talk but nothing is changing, then it might be time to seek professional guidance.
Speech and Language Therapists are experts in this field, and they may be the quickest solution for helping your two-year-old find their voice.
The first thing a Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) will do is discuss your concerns with you, and then arrange an assessment with your child in order to determine if they have a speech delay and what could be causing it. Once your two-year-old has been diagnosed, your therapist will work closely with you to set goals and to create a tailored treatment plan.
If you are worried about your child’s speech, the earlier you address the issue the better. Getting a therapist involved as early as you can means that together, you can begin working on strategies to better support your child.
Depending on the diagnosis, seeing a specialist quickly can help your two-year-old to catch up.
Where do I find a Speech and Language Therapist?
If this is all new to you, there are a couple of ways you can find a Speech and Language Therapist to help your child.
Firstly, if you've spoken to a doctor or other healthcare professional, they may be able to refer you to a local specialist. Once you've found the right therapist, you can then book a SALT assessment and get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
However, if you find that you are waiting slightly longer than you would like, you might wish to speed the process up by seeking out the services of a therapist yourself.
How can Saltroad help?
If you’re not sure how to go about finding a therapist, you're in the right place. At Saltroad, we can help to match you with an experienced, UK-registered Speech and Language Therapist.
To start with, we’ll ask you a few questions about your child and your situation. Then, based on your child's individual needs, your budget and your available schedule, we’ll match you with up to three therapists. You can then choose the one that is right for you.
So, if you're concerned that your two-year-old has a speech delay, don’t delay in addressing the problem. Get in touch today.