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Your child will do a lot of their development at this age.
They become busy little people, running, walking up stairs, using their imagination when playing and will follow simple instructions like "bath time".
The time between 2-3 years old is often known as the ‘terrible twos’ but this is not a very helpful way to describe the emotional roller-coaster your little one is on . This is one of the most important ages for emotional development. There a lots of things you can do to encourage and support your child at this stage. Introduce words that express feelings like "happy" "excited" "tired" and "frustrated".
Your toddler is becoming more independent and constant learning is hard work!
Your toddler will start to join 2 or 3 words together, so take turns to use words with them, "your turn" "my turn". Use puppets and pictures to help children listen to stories. Don't be afraid to tell a story more than once. Repetition helps children to understand and remember words.
Use books, songs and rhymes to expand their language skills and create a special time to read, talk and listen to your child.
2-3 years Advice and Information
Sandwell Health Visitor Service 0121 612 5021
Health Visitor 24-30 month ASQ-3 check. ASQ-3 is a developmental screening tool used by Health Visitors. It relies on parents as experts, is easy to use, family friendly and creates a snapshot to catch development delays and also celebrate your child's milestones.
WellComm: Ideas for encouraging language development with 2-year-olds
Children's Centre Family Offer
Children's Centres provide support to families with children and young adults 0-19 years (up to 25 years if they have special education needs or disabilities).
They offer family support, early learning , information and advice on health, parenting, money and benefits, education and school readiness.
There are lots of free services and activities at your local children's centre
Speech and Language UK 2-3 years
This is a guide to how children develop speech and language between 2-3 years. Children develop language at different rates. However, understanding what is typical can help you identify speech and language problems early. You can also find out how to help your child learn to talk and develop their communication skill. There are lots of things you can do to encourage your child to talk and develop language skills.
Short questions you can answer to see how your baby or child is getting on with their speech, language and communication development.
Every child in England is entitled to a free Bookstart pack before they are 12 months old and again aged 3-4 years. Bookstart also gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual language books.
Contact your Health Visitor or local library to find out more about your free Bookstart pack
Libraries are welcoming places for children and families to start exploring books and reading. There are lots of activities and events at your local library and helpful, friendly staff to advise you on what to read to your child. Libraries are free to join and have books in different languages and formats. Your child is never too young to visit the library.
Free childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds
Your child may be entitled to a free childcare place at a day nursery, pre-school playgroup or childminder. There are positive benefits for your child at this age to play, learn, explore and socialise.
Benefits of Childcare and Child Development
Apply for a 2 year old childcare place
Little Chick Starts School is a story all about what to expect when a child starts Reception. It’s designed to be read by parent and child together. Inside, there are also lots of tips about how parents can support their child emotionally and practically as they begin this exciting new chapter.
Black Country Early Outcomes aims to help parents support their child's communication skills. They have developed books, resources and simple activities for parents to use.
Tools for Talking 2-3 years: Building sentences
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video. Children still need help as they begin putting more and more words together. It's normal for them to make a few mistakes as they practise.
Help them to get sentence structure right by repeating their sentences back to them with any mistakes corrected, so they hear how it should sound.
How to help toddlers say words properly
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video. Working out the rules of language is tough when you're little. Lots of toddlers make mistakes when they first start talking. But what's the best way to help toddlers say words properly?
Your baby is constantly learning from new experiences and playing with them is a great way to share the fun and boost their language development.
Playing is not just something that keeps your toddler busy but is a huge part of learning.
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People Video. Pretend role play is a fun way for your child to expand their imagination. Try pretending to be different people like chefs, police officers, or firefighters! You could use household objects as props to play with too.
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People Video. This activity helps your child to express their feelings and learn new words. Try making faces to show different moods and then talking about it with your little one.
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People Video. Painting with teabags is a fun way to encourage your toddler to use their imagination. It's also a great way of re-using old teabags!
Cold teabags make a great all-in-one paint and sponge. You can also use the leaves inside to make a unique painting.
Encourage your child to talk about what they are painting to help boost their imagination.
Black Country Early Outcomes Speech and Language Development Cards
Easy to read advice and support about how your child is communicating with you and tips on how to help "I can and you can help me by"
Communication skills are important. They help us get to know each other. When your child is older communication skills will help them make friends and do well at school and in life. Try these top tips to support your child's communication development.
A guide to social and emotional development for birth-5 years
Your baby's social and emotional development plays an important part in their overall development and mental wellbeing. Supporting this during the first 1001 days of a baby’s life is a crucial time for their brain development, they will then build on this throughout the first 5 years of their life.
Why your touch is great for your baby's development
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video. It might seem obvious, but babies love to feel your touch. It makes them feel calm and secure and helps them to bond with you.
But did you know that it benefits their health and development too?
Watch the video - Why a game of peekaboo can change the world
Guidance to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage.This booklet divides your child’s first five years into the six age bands to highlight what you might notice your child doing at these points. Every child is different! Children do not grow and develop at the same rate. After each age band there are some ideas and tips as to how you can help your child’s learning and development.
The ages and stages of children’s communication development. From birth to 5 years
Helping babies and young children learn skills for talking
Sandwell's Talking Tips
Sandwell’s Talking Tips
10 tips to help support your child's language development.
Get to know these tips and use them as part of what you do every day with your child.
Early Years Practitioners should also familiarise themselves with Sandwell Talking Tips and embed these tips in to their Early Years development planning.
2-3 years Courses
Changes - the early years
free online and face to face courses in Sandwell for parents of children aged 0-4 years
free classes at your local Children's Centre
Help and Support
Help and advice
Your health visitor will be able to offer advice and support about your child's development. Always contact your health visitor about any worries or concerns you have about your child's health and development.
Sandwell Health Visitor Service 0121 612 5021
What can I expect from my health visitor
Sandwell Family Information Service
Sandwell Family Information Service can help you with free, impartial information, advice and guidance on family support and childcare.
Check out these websites for more tips and information on talking to your baby
