2-3y Use of Language

What is it?

Expressive language means your child’s use of language, e.g. learning to say new words and putting them together. This can also include non-verbal communication, such as use of gestures. As children develop, they grow their vocabulary and use longer, more complex sentences.

What to expect?

By 3 years old, children will usually:

  • Put together short sentences, e.g. 4 words
  • Use different types of words, e.g. describing words “big, soft”, where things are “on, under”
  • Have a conversation

Information & advice

You can help your child by:

  • Talking with them and commenting on what is happening – this teaches them new words
  • Sharing books and nursery rhymes with them
  • Playing with sounds and words, e.g. making animal noises in play, or rhyming words
  • Repeating back and adding one word to what they say, e.g. if they say ‘dog’, repeat back, ‘big dog’.

Watch our video on using words, sentences an beyond.

Activities