What Can I Do to Get My 2Yr Old to Start Taliking in Sentences?

I am the mother of a 2 yr. 8 mth. old and she has recently started talking in sentences. I don't think it's unusual for a 2 yr. old to not talk in sentences. Until recenlty my daughter would say part of the sentence, such as if the sentence was Where are we going today? She would say: Where going? She was also using her name in a sentence instead of saying I or Me. Every once in a while she does use I or Me. I will come. Be patient. If she's talking, she will start with sentences soon. And believe me, once they start talking, they never stop.

I agree with the advice of not baby talking to them. I always talked normal to my daughter. I would also just talk to her a lot and read to her. Ask her questions. Model how to to talk in sentences by reading and having conversations with her. Sometimes I casually rephrase what she says if it comes out grammatically wrong like with the wrong tense or something, but I don't make a big deal about it. I think talking to them a lot encourages them to want to converse back. My daughter is 2.5 and speaks really well and fairly clearly for her age. But, I think a lot of that is just the way she developed rather than something specific that I did. I'm sure you hear a lot how individual the development of each child is. And I think verbal skills are the same way. At 2 years old, only 2 word sentences are expected at this point. So if she's doing that, she's just fine.

If you feel like she's really behind, you could ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech therapist for evaluation. My friend's son who just turned 3 was barely doing 2 word sentences at 2.5. He started speech and his verbal skills have just blossomed.

Just speak to her in short, frequent sentences (model what you wish she was saying) and know that she will do what she is supposed to do in the right time for her whether you stress or coax or not!!!
: )

Just be patient...before you know it she won't shut up:)

My daughter is currently 2 year and 8.5 months old and her sentences have really JUST become more and more sophisticated within the last month or so. Yesterday she said, "Daddy is going to get hims car fixed." (Yes, not totally grammatically correct, but simple oversimplification of a rule.)
My point is that I've noticed that after two... her language seems to be exploding on an almost daily basis... It's important to model proper grammar, sentence structure. Speak in complete sentences to your DD, but keep your terminology kid-friendly. She'll be picking up on it before long! Remember that some children often have a "silent period" while they internalize what they hear. Then one day, you'll hear it back!
This is a great age... Enjoy!

Hello L. ,

I'm a mom of two boys 7 and 2 1/2 . Boys tend to talk later than girls . My son started talking in full sentences when they were 2 1/2 / I always made sure to speak to them cleary ( DON'T EVER BABY TALK TO THEM ) That will only distert they way the speak . I read to them since they were Babies and for me that worked . Don't push him he will eventually will ,Now is he is three and don't attempt to speak in sentences at least 5 words , then take him to a speach pathologist for an evaluation. Just always speak to him clearly . I hoped my advise give yu some insight .

~ A.

I know that this is frustrating. What we did with our boys was talk to them in sentences, get responses in sentences. Did not let others talk to them in broken languages. It could also be that she might not be ready to talk to that extent.

When they point to things you say the proper word(s). When they repeat it, you applaud them, to encourage talking. Don't let others say that you are wrong for wanting them to talk in straight english and not broken english (baby language - like tata for thank you).

Sing songs and read books, you can even read the pictures to encourage them to talk.

If that does not work, then schedule an appointment with your Dr. to have her ears checked.

Hang in there, it will happen. Soon she will be talking on the phone.

I know this sounds so obvious, but modeling is the very best tactic! If she says, "Cookie?" You say, "Oh, you would like a cookie?" or, if she says, "Bird." You say, "I see the bird to." As she begins speaking more and more in sentences, you can increase the complexity, for example, "Oh, your would like a chocolate chip cookie?" or "I see the little blue bird, too."
I am a preschool teacher (and mother of two) and have worked with a lot of two year olds, believe me this really works!! And remember, toddlers all develop at different levels, if you become truly concern, contact a speech patholigist for more help.

I think they only thing you can do is talk to your child the way you want them to talk. Eventually they pick it up. My oldest was using sentences by 2, my next two took until about 3. My 2 year old now is just starting to put small groups of words together. I have just always (gently) repeated things correctly they've said to me and talked to them using good grammar.

Hi! I'm a mother of a 15 yr old and a 2 almost 3 yr old which I homeschool. with the little one I started with one word at the time then you gradually keep adding more words until you can get a complete sentence,it is important and ok to correct them to make sure she get it right,and praise her that is the great part for them.I incourage all mothers that is also important to read to your kids specially at bed time.Good luck
and lots of patients

L.,

Language & Speech development varies in toddlers. It is not at all unusual that your child isn't speaking in sentences at 2. Here are a few links to guide you.

http://www.talkingchild.com/chartvocab.aspx

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/language_...

http://www.parents.com/toddlers/development/intellectual/...

Hope this helps.

A.