What if My 2-Year-Old Understands but Doesn’t Talk?
As parents, we eagerly await our child’s first words. It’s thrilling to imagine their thoughts and feelings taking shape through language. But what happens if your 2-year-old seems to understand everything you say yet isn’t talking as much as expected? This scenario is more common than you might think, and it’s worth exploring to ensure your child’s communication development stays on track.
Understanding Receptive vs. Expressive Language
To answer this question, let’s dive into two key components of language development:
Receptive Language: This refers to the ability to understand language. For example, when you say, “Go get your shoes,” and your child retrieves them, they’re demonstrating receptive language skills.
Expressive Language: This is the ability to use words, gestures, or other forms of communication to express thoughts, needs, and feelings. For example, when your child points to a toy and says, “Ball,” they’re using expressive language to communicate their interest.
Receptive language typically develops before expressive language. It’s completely normal for children to understand far more than they can say because comprehension is the foundation of communication. However, if a child isn’t using enough expressive language by age 2, it’s a good idea to explore why and consider how speech therapy might help.
When to Be Concerned
By the age of 2, most children can:
Say more than 50 words.
Combine two words into simple phrases like “want cookie” or “go outside.”
Label common objects or people like “mama” or “ball.”
If your toddler isn’t meeting these milestones but demonstrates strong receptive language skills, they may need additional support to develop expressive language.
How Speech Therapy Can Help
Speech-language therapy is a powerful tool for children struggling with expressive language. A certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) can:
Assess your child’s receptive and expressive language skills to identify specific needs.
Use play-based activities and techniques to encourage verbal communication.
Teach parents strategies to support language development at home, such as modeling words and expanding on your child’s attempts to communicate.
Don’t Wait to Seek Help
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech and language development, early intervention is key. At Back 2 You Speech Language Pathology, we specialize in helping children build the communication skills they need to thrive. Our expert team is here to guide you and your child every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation:
Website: www.back2youslp.com
Address: 40 Gardenville W Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14224, Suite 216
Phone: 716-202-8616
Email: kpaler@back2youslp.com
