When Do Toddlers Start Saying Two Words Together? (+ How to Help!)
One of the most exciting moments in toddler language development is when they go from saying single words to combining two words together! But when can you expect this to start happening and what can you do to encourage it?
If you’re wondering how to help your child move from one-word utterances to short phrases, you’re in the right place! Let’s break it down.
When Do Toddlers Start Combining Words?
Most toddlers begin putting two words together when they have around 50 words in their vocabulary—which typically happens by 24 months (and sometimes earlier).
This makes sense! When toddlers only have a handful of words (especially nouns), they don’t have as many possible ways to combine them. But once they build a broader vocabulary—including action words, describing words, and social words—they can start to mix and match.
Examples of Early Two-Word Phrases
Once a toddler has enough words in their inventory, they’ll start forming simple combinations like: “Up dada;” “More milk”, “Me out” (I go outside).
At first, you’ll mostly hear them use the phrases they’ve heard often, but over time, they’ll start creating their own original combinations!
So, how can you help your toddler start combining words? Let’s dive into the best strategies.
Tips to Help Your Toddler Put Two Words Together
If your child is still speaking in single words, there are some simple (and no pressure) ways you can encourage them to take that next step.
1. Add On to What They Say
Show them where they could go with their words! Expand on what they said.
If they say “no,” you could say “No, thank you.”
If they say “truck,” you could say “Yeah, a BIG truck!”
2. Make the Words Visible
Use gestures and signs to show how the words fit together. For example, when you say “big ball,” spread your hands wide to show size. This visual support helps toddlers see that words have parts and gives them an extra way to understand new language.
This gentle expansion helps them hear how words can be combined without adding pressure for them to repeat it right away.
3. Vary Your Vocabulary
Research shows that the variety of words a toddler hears makes a big difference in their language growth.
✔️ Instead of always saying “big,” mix it up with huge, enormous, gigantic!
✔️ Instead of “hot,” try warm, scalding or burning!
Exposing them to a wide range of words gives them more building blocks for combining words, making it easier for them to create their own unique phrases.
Final Thoughts: Meet Your Child Where They Are
As pediatric speech-language pathologists (and moms!), we believe in meeting your child where they are at. This is really the best way to move forward and maintain that positive connection.
A great way to understand where your child is at in their language development is by using our Toddler Language Milestones Checklist. It will help you see what skills they’ve already mastered and what might be coming next—so you can confidently support their growth.
Download the Toddler Language Milestones Checklist here!
Concerned about your toddler’s language development and want step-by-step guidance?
In TalkToddler, we teach you exactly how to help your toddler’s words grow and grow, how to go from single words and phrases, and how to encourage a great foundation for language development that serves them throughout their life.
📢 Check out TalkToddler to get started!
Looking for screen time you can feel good about?
Whether your toddler is already chatty or not saying much just yet, the videos from our Songs + Stories membership are a wonderful way to build early literacy skills and lay the foundation for language development.
Created by pediatric speech-language pathologists (us!), each video offers intentional, language-rich screen time designed with your child’s communication growth in mind.