Communication Milestones - 2 to 3 Years - What should my child be able to do? - How can I help?

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

Communication milestones guide children ages 2 to 3 in hearing, speech, and language development. It emphasizes individual variation and explains that not meeting many milestones within the age range may require an ASHA-certified evaluation by an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. The material lists expected skills such as word combinations, answering questions, using grammar like -ing and -ed, producing key speech sounds, and becoming clearer, then provides practical caregiver strategies to support growth through interaction, reading, expanding language, choices, and games.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Communication Milestones

What should my child be able to do?

What can I do to help?

2 to 3 Years COMMUNICATION MILESTONES These communication milestones cover hearing, speech, and language development in children . Each child develops uniquely, even within the same family, and may meet certain milestones earlier or later than others. If your child does not meet many of the milestones within their age range, [visit](visit www.asha.org/profind)[ www.asha.org/profind](visit www.asha.org/profind)[ ](visit www.asha.org/profind)[to find an ASHA-certified audiologist or speech-language pathologist](to find an ASHA-certified audiologist or speech-language pathologist) (SLP) for an assessment. What should my child be able to do? Uses word combinations often but may occasionally repeat some words or phrases, like baby – baby – baby sit down or I want – I want juice. Tries to get your attention by saying, Look at me! Says their name when asked. Uses some plural words like birds or toys. Uses –ing verbs like eating or running. Adds –ed to the end of words to talk about past actions, like looked or played. Gives reasons for things and events, like saying that they need a coat when it’scold outside. Asks why and how. Answers questions like “What do you do when you are sleepy?” or “Which one can you wear?” Correctly produces p, b, m, h, w, d, and n in words. Correctly produces most vowels in words. Speech is becoming clearer but may not be understandable to unfamiliar listeners or to people who do not know your child. Continued on back » What can I do to help? • Use short words and sentences. Speak clearly. • Repeat what your child says and add to it. If they say, Pretty flower, you can say,“Yes, that is a pretty flower. The flower is bright red. It smells good, too. Do you want to smell the flower?” • Let your child know that what they say is important to you. Ask them to repeat things that you do not understand. For example, say,“I know you want a block. Tell me which block you want.” • Teach your child new words. Reading books or talking about things you see is a great way to do this. Describe how things look or feel. Use words that describe color, shape, and size. • Practice counting. Count toes and fingers. Count steps. • Use new words in sentences to help your child learn the meaning. Use words that are similar, like “woman, lady, grown-up, and adult.” • Put objects into a bucket. Let your child remove them one at a time. As your child removes an object, say its name. Repeat what they say and add to it. Help them group the objects into categories, like clothes, food, or animals. • Cut out pictures from mail and magazines, and make a scrapbook. Help your child glue the pictures into the scrapbook. Name the pictures, and talk about how you use them. • Look at family photos, and name the people. Talk about what they are doing in the picture. • Write simple phrases under the pictures. For example,“I can swim,”or “Happy birthday to Daddy.” Your child will start to understand that the letters mean something. • Ask your child to make a choice instead of giving a yes or no answer. For example, rather than asking,“Do you want milk?”ask,“Would you like milk or water?” Be sure to wait for the answer and praise them for answering. You can say,“Thankyou for telling me what you want. I will get you a glass of milk.” • Sing songs, play finger games, and tell nursery rhymes. These songs and games teach your child about the rhythm and sounds of language. • Talk to your child in the languages you are most comfortable using. You will not confuse your child or stop them from learning English later. GET CONNECTED WITH HELP TODAY. [asha.org/profind](asha.org/profind) CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER AGE RANGES? [on.asha.org/dev-milestones](on.asha.org/dev-milestones) Copyrighted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 680258

FAQs

What communication skills should most children age 2 to 3 be able to do?

Children often use word combinations, say their name when asked, use some plural words, and use -ing and -ed to talk about actions and the past. They may ask why and how, answer questions, and produce many key speech sounds, with speech becoming clearer though not always understandable to unfamiliar listeners.

What should I do if my child does not meet many milestones in this age range?

Visit ASHA resources to find an ASHA-certified audiologist or speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an assessment. The guidance notes that children develop uniquely and milestones may be reached earlier or later, but evaluation is appropriate when multiple milestones are missed.

How can I help my child learn new words and communication?

Use short words and sentences, speak clearly, and repeat what your child says while adding to it. Teach new words by reading and describing what you see, practice counting, group objects into categories, and use meaningful choices (e.g., offer two options) while waiting for answers and praising them.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah