How to Enhance Language Development in Two to Three Year Olds

A child's language goes through a developmental boom from age two to three. Words and short phrases become sentences, children begin to ask and answer more complex questions and start to understand size, quantity and spatial concepts. Enhancing language development in your toddler is easy. You don't have to set aside special homework time with your child. Simply use their daily routine to help them learn.

Things You'll Need

• Children's toys
• Children's books

Instructions

1. Model phrases and sentences that are longer that what he is saying. For example, if your child is using two to three word phrases such as, "kitty go up," you can enhance language development by modeling, "See the little white kitty go up the tree."

2. Expand the topic of conversation. If your child requests a cookie by saying, "I want cookie," expand and maintain this topic by saying, "You want a cookie? What kind do you want, chocolate chip or oatmeal?"

3. Incorporate the use of music to enhance language development in your child. Nursery rhymes are great places to start. Sing songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and other simple songs. Use time in the car to sing songs or listen to CDs of children's music.

4. Use active toys that children need to manipulate such as play dough, blocks and crayons and incorporate concepts into this play. Use cookie cutters and talk about shapes that you make in play dough, build towers and work on labeling items as tall or short. Talk about colors and big and little pictures that you draw together.

5. Encourage imaginary play to enhance language development. Give your child a cardboard box so he can pretend it's a house, car or airplane. Give him some of your old clothes so that he can play dress up.

6. Demonstrate the use of more complex "wh" questions during your day such as those containing "what" and "why." For example, if she is outside and jumps in a puddle ask her, "Why are your shoes wet?" Model the correct answer for her or expand on the response she gives you.

7. Read to your child. Pick out books that talk about concepts you're working on such as prepositions, colors and emotions to further enhance language development in your toddler.

Tips & Warnings

• Take batteries out of your child's toys. He will be less likely to talk if the toy talks for him.