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Language and communication development

Children develop their speech, language and communication skills at different rates. Between two to three years of age your child will be learning lots of words every week including simple questions such as 'whom', 'what' and 'where'. They’ll know around 300 words and use these to make short sentences of around two to four words.

If you have any worries about your child’s development at any stage, you can speak to your health visitor for advice and support.

Useful resources

  • To learn more about what your child can say and understand at this stage and how to support your child’s speech, visit I Can Ages and Stages or Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s speech and language section.
  • BBC Tiny Happy People has fun activities you can do with your child to help them learn and encourage their speech and language development.
  • You can find more support for a child with a stammer at The Pod.
  • AFASIC supports parents and represents children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
  • Hungry Little Minds provides simple, fun activities for children from new born to five to support with your child’s development.
  • The Institute for Health Visiting has useful resources for parents on Supporting your child’s speech, language and communication development
  • NAPLIC is an organisation for teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of children and young people with language and communication needs.
  • National Literacy Trust has resources and information for parents, early years settings and schools to promote language and literacy development.