What words should a 23-month-old be saying?

At 23 months old, your child is rapidly developing their language skills and becoming more vocal every day. It is an exciting time as a parent to witness your child’s language abilities grow and expand. As a parent, you may be wondering what words your 23-month-old should be saying and if they are on track with their language development. In this article, we will discuss the typical language milestones for a 23-month-old and provide tips on how to support your child’s language development.

Before we dive into the specific words your child should be saying, it is important to understand that every child develops at their own pace. Some children may be more advanced in their language skills, while others may take a little longer to reach certain milestones. As long as your child is making progress and showing an interest in communicating, there is no need to worry. However, if you have concerns about your child’s language development, it is always best to consult with your child’s pediatrician.

At 23 months old, most children are able to say about 50 words and understand many more. They are also starting to combine words to form simple sentences. Here are some of the words and phrases you can expect your 23-month-old to say:

1. Familiar people’s names: Your child should be able to say the names of the people they see regularly, such as mom, dad, siblings, and grandparents.

2. Familiar objects: Your child should be able to name common objects they see every day, such as “ball,” “car,” “dog,” and “book.”

3. Action words: Your child may start using action words to describe what they are doing, such as “eat,” “run,” “sleep,” and “play.”

4. Possessive words: Your child may start using possessive words to show ownership, such as “mine,” “my,” and “your.”

5. Pronouns: Your child may start using pronouns to refer to themselves and others, such as “I,” “you,” and “me.”

6. Descriptive words: Your child may start using descriptive words to describe objects, such as “big,” “small,” “hot,” and “cold.”

7. Simple phrases: Your child may start combining two words to form simple phrases, such as “more milk,” “bye-bye daddy,” and “want cookie.”

8. Simple questions: Your child may start asking simple questions, such as “what’s that?” and “where’s mommy?”

9. Greetings and manners: Your child may start using basic manners and greetings, such as “please,” “thank you,” and “hello.”

10. Animal sounds: Your child may start imitating animal sounds, such as “moo” for a cow and “woof” for a dog.

It is important to note that your child’s pronunciation may not be perfect at this age. They may struggle with certain sounds, such as “r” and “th.” This is completely normal, and their speech will continue to improve with time and practice.

As a parent, there are many ways you can support your child’s language development at this stage. Here are some tips to help your 23-month-old expand their vocabulary and improve their language skills:

1. Talk to your child: Engage in conversations with your child throughout the day. Talk to them about what you are doing, what they are doing, and what you see around you. This will help them learn new words and understand how language is used in everyday situations.

2. Read to your child: Reading to your child is an excellent way to expose them to new words and expand their vocabulary. Choose books with colorful pictures and simple sentences that your child can follow along with.

3. Sing songs and nursery rhymes: Singing songs and nursery rhymes is a fun and interactive way to help your child learn new words and phrases. Encourage them to sing along and do hand motions to make it even more engaging.

4. Play word games: Play simple word games with your child, such as “I Spy” or “Simon Says.” These games will help your child learn new words and improve their listening skills.

5. Repeat and expand: When your child says a word or phrase, repeat it back to them and expand on it. For example, if your child says “ball,” you can say “yes, that’s a red ball” or “do you want to play with the ball?”

6. Use gestures and facial expressions: Nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions, can also help your child understand and learn new words. Use hand gestures and facial expressions to accompany your words, especially when teaching new words.

7. Avoid baby talk: While it may be tempting to use baby talk with your child, it is important to speak to them in clear and proper language. This will help them learn correct pronunciation and grammar.

In conclusion, a 23-month-old should be saying about 50 words and starting to combine words to form simple sentences. However, every child develops at their own pace, so do not worry if your child is not meeting all of these milestones. As long as they are making progress and showing an interest in communicating, they are on the right track. By talking to your child, reading to them, and playing word games, you can support their language development and help them expand their vocabulary. If you have any concerns about your child’s language development, do not hesitate to consult with their pediatrician.