Speech and Language Milestones for a 2-year-old

By: Meghan Randig, M.A., CCC-SLP

Communication is multifaceted and looks a little bit different for every child. However, there are some general language abilities and milestones we can expect to see by a certain age. The following is an outline of language skills that most two-year-olds display.

Expressive Skills

Expressive language abilities relate to what your child produces (verbal speech, gestures, etc.). Signs that your child is developing expressive skills include:

• the child learning and using new words regularly 
• referring to self by name
• verbalizing to request objects/wants/needs (e.g., the child says “ball” when they want the ball)
• using 2-word phrases (e.g., “more juice” or “ball up”)
• using action words, like “running” or “jump”
• responding to greetings consistently
• answering simple questions
• using vowels and has the following sounds: /t, b, m, p/
• adults can understand about 50-75% of what your child says
• naming one color

Receptive Skills

Receptive language abilities are related to what your child understands. Look for the following examples when assessing your child’s progress:

• follows 2-step commands independently (e.g., put the ball in the box, then give me the keys)
• identifies familiar objects 
• understands bigger/smaller size concepts
• understands verbs (e.g., eat, drink, sleep)
• answers yes/no questions correctly
• identifies basic body parts

Play Skills

Play comprises expressive and receptive language, as well as the social-emotional component of language. Children who are learning play skills exhibit the following behaviors:

• participates in a play routine/scheme for at least one minute
• pretends to pour from a container
• stacks and assembles toys
• pretends to talk on the telephone
• demonstrates parallel play with other children 
• uses a doll as a playmate

Individualized Support at ETLC

It is important to remember that every child develops at their own rate. If your two-year-old has not mastered everything on this list, do not worry. If you do have concerns with your child’s language development, contact us today to schedule a consultation, screening, or evaluation with a speech-language pathologist and get your questions answered.

info@enrichmenttherapies.com 

740 Community Drive, Unit A 

North Liberty, IA 52317 

319-626-2553 

infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com 

5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300 

Johnston, IA 50131 

515-419-4270