Communication Development: By 2 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 2. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 2 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

By 2 years, what should my child be able to say and do?

• understand instructions containing 2 key words; for example, "give your cup to dad"
• listen to a simple story
• use over 50 single words
• be starting to combine words; for example, "go car", "more drink", "titiro pāpā!"
• ask simple questions; for example, "what that?", "where ball?"
• talk about what they can see and hear right now
• enjoy pretend play with their toys; for example, feeding teddy, putting dolly to bed
• join in with songs/waiata and nursery rhymes with actions
• enjoy interactive books; for example, lift-the-flap books, such as 'Spot' and 'Little Kiwi', 'Hairy Maclary', etc.
• be understood by familiar adults most of the time

What are some tips to help my baby's communication development at 2 years?

• play with your child, join in with what they are doing or interested in
• make sure you're face to face when playing with your child – you may need to sit on the floor. This is so you can see what your child is interested in – it also helps conversation!
• share your family's stories, songs/waiata and poems