Social Skills and Early Communication for Toddlers

One of the easiest ways to build language is to narrate what you're doing and what your toddler is doing. “You're putting the blue block on top. Uh oh, it fell! Let's try again.” This gives your child words for what they're seeing and feeling.

When your toddler says a word or makes a sound, expand on it. If they say “Truck!” you can say “Yes, a big red truck! It's going fast.” You're not correcting them; you're showing them the next step.

Sharing is hard for toddlers, and that's normal. Most kids don't truly share on their own until closer to age 3 or later. You can lay the groundwork with turn-taking games: rolling a ball back and forth, stacking blocks one at a time, or taking turns pushing a button on a toy.

Use simple phrases like “My turn, your turn.” When there's a fight over a toy, try a timer: “Two more minutes, then it's Ava's turn.” Name the feeling when your child is upset about giving up a toy: “You're sad. You really wanted the truck.”

Toddlers develop at different rates, and boys and second children are sometimes later talkers. Still, it's worth asking your pediatrician if your child isn't using any words by about 16 months, isn't combining two words by around 2 years, doesn't point or respond to their name, or loses words they used to say.

Early help makes a difference. The CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program at cdc.gov/actearly lists milestones by age and explains how to get a free developmental evaluation. Read more on emotional development in kids and cognitive development.

Reading aloud is one of the best things you can do for your toddler's language. You don't need to read every word. Point at pictures, ask “What's that?” and let your toddler turn the pages. Board books with flaps, textures and repeated phrases are great at this age. Even ten minutes before bed adds up over the years. Go back to the toddler activity toolkit for more ideas.