this post is all about how to encourage a 2 year old to talk (soon and regularly!), and what not to do.
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How To Encourage A 2 Year Old To Talk & What Not To Do
If you want your 2 year old to start talking to you, this post will help you get them there.
I’ll show you exactly how I encourage a 2 year old to talk and what I avoid (because it doesn’t help), too.
Speech development, here we go!
As the owner of a Montessori-inspired daycare and preschool, and mom to twin preschoolers, I have helped dozens of babies start talking.
From ones who weren’t talking at all, to others who would only say a few words, I have helped them all!
So, let’s dive into how we are going to get your little one talking too…
1. Expand on what they already say (instead of just repeat)
So, if your child always says “car, car”, you’ll want to say, “yes, fast car/red car/big car, look at it go!”
Now, you’ve introduced them to so many more and/or new words in that moment.
Do this throughout the day with any single words they say and you will stimulate your 2 year old to talk more.
Here are some examples:
- “dog” – big dog, fluffy dog, nice dog
- “mine” – your car, your shirt, your shoes, your red shoes
- “no” – no thank you, not yet, not now, no thanks
- “bed” – cozy bed, big bed, my bed, soft bed
2. When they signal for something, sound out the first letter 2 times before saying the word
For example, if your 2 year old is by the pantry grunting and pointing at some bars for a snack, you can say – “buh, buh, bar, buh buh bar” – before handing it to them.
By doing this, you are showing them how to create the first letter’s sound and then form the whole word after that.
Bonus points for getting on the ground where they can see your mouth’s movements when you say it.
This point segues us to #3…
3. Exaggerate your mouth movements & slow your speech when talking closely to your child
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4. Point to your mouth then point to their mouth
Gently tap your mouth while slowly saying words and sounds.
Then, gently tap their mouth and say it again.
Try this at times when you are sitting close, maybe story times, bath time, or mealtimes.
By doing this, your toddler will be fully engaged – listening to the sounds and watching the motions of your mouth.
A great, inviting way to encourage a 2 year old to talk more by getting them to try and mimic you!
5. Tell them to “say XYZ, say XYZ”, before passing them the item they want, but without pressure
This is one of the tips that can really make a difference, fast.
For example, if your child is grunting at your feet with their arms up to be picked up, tell them – “say up please, say up please”. Then, pick them up. Instead of just picking them up or asking them “you want to go up?”
Toddlers who are just beginning to communicate through language do very well when told exactly what to do.
So, telling them to “say xyz, say xyz” will encourage them to start saying the thing you want them to say.
Some more examples might be:
- If your child is at the fridge pointing at the milk, tell them “say milk please, say milk please”, and then hand them their milk.
- If your child starts fussing to get out of the bath and reaches for you, tell them “say out please, say out please”, and then lift them out.
So, don’t punish or withhold things if they aren’t yet repeating after you.
With time, exposure, and positive interactions, they will and they will be happy and proud of it!
If you pressure them, they may clam up and begin to push away or get upset, which can delay their progress.
Related Toddler-Focused Articles:
How To Get Your Toddler To Listen – 7 Steps To Better Listening Today
Is Your Toddler Fighting Nap & Bedtime? Here’s What To Do13 Best Ways To Help A Child Who Is Terrified Of The Dentist
6. Say “your turn to say it” after saying a word, but without pressuring them
I prefer to do #5, as it is more direct and clear for young children – and gets great, fast results.
However, saying “your turn” after you say a word, can be helpful in building your 2 year old’s speech and vocabulary as well.
So, as an example, you might be doing a shape puzzle together. You say the name of each shape as you pass the puzzle piece to your child and then say, “your turn to say it”.
Pointing to your mouth and then theirs can make it clear that you want them to try saying the word.
Remember not to pressure them by getting frustrating or withholding things if they aren’t repeating right away.
In my experience here at my daycare and preschool, and with my own twins, it can take a week of consistently doing these tips before a 2 year old begins to repeat and vocalize.
7. Read Daily
Watching and hearing you read helps your child develop their language skills.
Repetition is a big part of how they learn.
Maybe include this book, My First Learn To Talk Book, into your daily story times.
8. Celebrate and recognize them anytime they try to say a new word (even if it’s just the first letter sound of a word!)
Positive reinforcement is a very strong motivator!
So, when you see them trying to form a sound with their mouth, mimicking, or repeating you – make a big deal of it! High fives, hugs, say “you did it!” all the things!
9. Narrate your day to them
Did you know that narrating to your 2 year old can help them with many things including developing their language, communication, coping and social emotional skills?
Yes!
This might sound like:
- Ok, now we are going to get ready and get in the car. It’s cold outside, let’s grab your jacket. Here you go. Let’s put it on.
- Bath time! Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. These are pink! So many bubbles!
- Mommy is making dinner for us. Daddy will be home soon and we can eat together, ok? Dinner then stories!
10. Remove the pacifier
Your toddler might be able and willing to say more words, but the pacifier can keep them from doing it!
Reserve the paci for comfort and nap times if possible, and do some of the above tips.
You might be surprised at how quickly they start talking more!
I once had a little girl who was used to wearing a paci all day.
With her parents wanting her to talk more, they agreed to try setting the paci on the counter when she didn’t need it.
Within 3 days, she was saying more words than ever!
Removing the paci can be a HUGE help in stimulating a 2 year old to talk!
11. Consistently do these things until your child starts talking more (it can take 7-10 days before you notice your child saying more)
In my experience here at my daycare and preschool, and with my own twins, it can take a week of consistently doing these tips before a 2 year old begins to repeat and vocalize.
There are a lot of variables that determine how early or how late a 2 year old talks.
Some toddlers with older siblings or that are in childcare early, talk sooner and more often.
Some families use these tips early on, so their toddler may speak earlier than their friends’ children.
Either way, rest assured that your baby is not better or worse.
Everyone has their own learning pace, reservations, and various environments that affect them.
When to see a specialist
According to the Mayo Clinic, parents are advised to talk to their healthcare provider if they can only understand a few or none of their 2 year old’s words, as a delay can be a sign of other issues.
So, if you are ever unsure, there are lots of options for support and information, so don’t ever hesitate to talk to your pediatrician!
Even if it’s just for reassurance or tips.
What to avoid
As I mentioned, don’t pressure or punish.
Doing so can make your child clam up or develop a negative association, delaying their development.
Be patient, give it time and consistently use these tips until you see your 2 year old talking more.
It may take 7-10 days.
Another thing you want to avoid is comparing your child to another child or another sibling.
This might cause you and your child more frustration.
Just be patient, have faith, use these tips, and reach out to your pediatrician if you are concerned something more is going on.
Keep it fun and playful as often as possible.
Final thoughts
I have seen these tips work time and again, with dozens of toddlers, over the past decade, and I am confident you will too!
The best results will come from doing a mix of all of these, and doing them regularly throughout the days until you start to hear more words from your 2 year old.
You can expedite the process by getting any other adults in their life to use some of these tips, too.
It’s so fun when 2 year olds start to talk more!
Soon enough, you will have a chatty kathy or ken, and you will be like, “ok honey, go talk to daddy for a little bit, ok? Mommy needs a few minutes of quiet. Love you.” Haha!
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