Expressive language is the ability to communicate thoughts and needs through sounds, gestures, words and sentences. It develops after, and alongside, receptive language, which is understanding what others say.
Key takeaways
- Gestures such as waving and pointing are early expressive language.
- Most toddlers say their first words around 12 months.
- By age 2, most children combine two words.
What you can do
- Give your child time to respond before speaking for them.
- Expand what they say: "Car." "Yes, a red car."
- Offer choices: "Apple or banana?"
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor if your child is not using any words by around 15-18 months or is not combining two words by age 2.
