Telegraphic speech is the early stage of sentences in which a toddler combines two or three key words and leaves out small grammar words, such as "mummy come", "give ball" or "more milk". The CDC lists saying at least two words together as a milestone by 2 years.
What you can do
- Repeat and expand: "Daddy go." "Yes, Daddy is going to work."
- Offer choices that invite a two-word answer.
- Read together and talk about the pictures.
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor if your child is not combining two words by 2 years or has fewer than about 50 words.
