Two year old’s not talking yet?

Let’s chat about what to do if your little one understands you but isn’t using many words.

Have you ever thought…

My two year old’s not talking but they understand me

How can I help my toddler talk?

Then the Talkable speech therapy course is for you.

Helping Your Child Learn to Talk: Expert Tips and Resources

Is your 2-year-old not talking yet?

It's natural to feel concerned when your toddler is late to talk. Every child develops at a different pace within a range that we call ‘typical development’.

Developmental delays and difficulty with communication can present in different ways, from challenges in forming speech sounds to difficulties in using two-word phrases. If you're noticing delays in your child's language or speech milestones, there are simple steps you can take to support the development of their communication skills in everyday routines.

What to Look Out For

Understanding versus speaking

Your 2-year-old may understand everything you say but struggle to express themselves verbally
Sometimes children have difficulty understanding and using words

Not using many words

No words at 12 months
Less than 50 words at 2 years
Not using two-word phrases by 2 years

Trouble producing speech sounds

Using only a limited number of speech sounds
Speech is very hard to understand

Lack of progress

Not adding new words to their vocabulary each week.

Causes of Speech and Language Delay

Several factors can contribute to delayed speech and language including:

hearing problems
developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or global developmental delay
speech and language disorders (like developmental language disorder, motor speech disorder)
not being regularly exposed to a language-rich learning environment
increased screen time

Help Your Child Learn to Talk

The most amazing thing is that YOU will make the biggest difference in helping your child learn to talk.

- From the moment they wake up to when you are laying them down to sleep, talk to your little one.
- Use short phrases to talk about what you’re doing together.
- Narrate your day. Show your child what you’re talking about.
- Check out the Talkable course to embed these skills in your everyday routines.
- Reading with your little one is the SINGLE most important thing you will do to help them learn to read.
- Share books throughout the day.
- Choose board books, because they’re durable and your little one can explore turn the pages.
- Have books in your car, pram and bag so you can read wherever you go.
- Click here for great book ideas.
- Songs and rhymes will grab your little one’s attention.
- Singing helps you use the same words over and over - and repetition is the key to learning new words.
- Not sure where to start? Check out my favourite songs and rhymes right here.
- More and more research is showing us that screen time has a negative impact on language development.
- Try to reduce your screen time too (I know, it’s hard!), because phones really get in the way of connecting with your little one.
- Be aware that babies and toddlers can’t learn from screens.
- For great play ideas that will boost brain and language development check out my YouTube channel.

When to Seek Help

If you're concerned about your child's speech or language development, speak with your child's doctor or a speech-language pathologist (also known as a speech pathologist or speech therapist). They can conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if there's a need for intervention or if your child's development falls within the expected range for their age.

speech language pathologist for two year olds who are not talking

Supporting Your Child's Speech and Language Developmental Milestones

Early intervention (in the years before your child starts school) is crucial when it comes to speech and language development. So, if you're unsure about your child's progress or have concerns about their language milestones, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Early intervention programs can provide structured guidance and resources to improve your child's communication skills and overall development.

Whether your child is struggling with expressive language delay, such as difficulty using words, or has other issues like hearing loss (which can impact their ability to learn new words and sounds) seeking guidance from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can provide you with clarity and effective strategies to help.

How Speech Therapy Can Help

Speech-language pathologists are experts at identifying, understanding and supporting children with speech and language difficulties. Their university training provides them with specialist knowledge in both typical development and a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, global developmental delay, language disorder, speech sound disorder, childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering), social (pragmatic) communication disorder as well as other unspecified communication disorders.

Benefits of Speech Therapy:

- Understand your child’s development: an assessment will give you a clear picture of your child’s strengths and areas they need help with. It will also help to uncover any underlying causes of speech or language delay.

- Early intervention: addressing issues early can significantly improve your child’s development, as their brain is rapidly changing in the first 5 years of life. Early speech and language skills are important for later literacy and academic success.

- Parental guidance: Your speech-language pathologist will teach you techniques to support your child's speech and language development at home.

- Targeted Interventions: A speech therapist will design activities specifically for you and your child to help improve their speech sounds and enhance expressive language skills every day at home.

- Introduction to Key-word Sign Language: For children with delayed language and speech difficulties, keyword sign language can facilitate communication while they develop their spoken language skills. Learn more about using key-word signs with your little one here.

- Support for other Developmental Milestones: Therapy sessions are tailored to meet your child's specific needs and promote overall development. This includes social, physical and cognitive development.

Teach your toddler first words with Peek a Boo

Boost your two year old’s words during bathtime

Taking the Next Steps

If you think your child may have a speech or language delay or if they are not meeting typical speech milestones, taking action early is the best approach. Whether it's scheduling a hearing test or consulting with a speech therapist, addressing potential issues early can make a significant difference in your child's overall development.

Remember, Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace

Every child progresses at their own pace. Celebrate each milestone, whether it's the first word or the mastery of new phrases. Recognising and supporting your child's unique journey in speech and language development is the key to fostering confidence and encouraging further progress.

Supporting Your Child's Speech and Language Journey

By staying attuned to your child's development and seeking early intervention if needed, you play the most important role in their speech and language journey. Whether it's through creating a language-rich environment at home, exploring key-word sign language or seeking speech therapy or there are so many ways to maximise your child's communication development.

With patience, understanding, and the right support, your child can reach their full communication potential. This might be through verbal communication or alternative ways to communicate. Start exploring ways to enhance your little one's language abilities with the Talkable app today!

Did you know that the number of words a child can say at 2 is one of the best predictors of their later academic success?

The good news is there’s so much that you can do with your baby or toddler today to help them reach their full potential.

Find out what you can be doing to help your child get the best start in life with our free:

Top 10 Tips to Help Your Baby Talk.

Hi there…

Talkable is a speech therapy course for all parents.

So whether you:

want to understand how babies learn to talk
want to learn baby sign language
have a two year old who’s not talking
think your child might need speech therapy
want the skills to help your baby or toddler learn how to talk

then this course has you covered.

All of the information you’ll find on the course has been carefully put together by me, a speech therapist, and is based on the latest research in the area of early language development.

Check it out via the website or in the app store.

What parents have said about the Talkable speech therapy app

“The app has lots of great tips for encouraging good language development. It has some good ideas for activities. Such a wonderful resource to help improve communication with my daughter!”

“I can't recommend it highly enough! Very user friendly. I found it helpful and supportive when dealing with my daughter's speech delay.”

“This app is amazing. Simple to follow, entertaining and extremely informative. I'll definitely be recommending it to my friends!”