DD (2yo) is a bit behind in language. What can I do?

[5one5]

What can I do to develop her language? We all talk to her normally all the time and talk to her about the things she is doing and ask her questions.

I have tried reading to her but she gets bored after one page and closes the book and gets another one. I have also tried making a book where the main character is her and people she knows with photos and a story, but she will not follow that either.

Any other suggestions?

[Artandco]

At 2 mine barely said a word. Health visitor always said it was fine and normal. By 3 they did not stop talking!

[GlitteryFluff]

How behind?
I'm seeing a speech and language therapist about DS who is two and doesn't talk much. Ie he can't put two words together, can't hardly pronounce the words he does say etc. They've told me to label everything with single words rather than talk at him constantly in sentences.
So before, if he brought me a car id say 'ooh a car, a blue car, can you go brum brum and beep beep?' And he'd look at me like 'eh?' Now I say 'car' and he can repeat back 'car'. Now that he regularly says car I've started incorporating colours so he can now get me the green car or blue car for example. And he's attempting to say the colours - but not together - he can't say 'blue car' for example.
No idea if this is the right type of advice for a child who's a bit behind, but it's what we've been told to do with DS who is very behind.

[FrayedHem]

Talking Point is a good website to look at.

There is a huge range in expected speech and language skills at 2; of my 4 DC 2 were delayed, 1 ahead and 1 text-book average. The 2 with delays did need extra help and I'm glad I didn't have a HV telling me it was fine!

It's hard to give advice without knowing what area you want to progress, but keeping language short and simple, using what DD likes to do to encourage more speech, offering choices with physical objects was the kind of advice we were given. I wouldn't worry too much about books for now, role playing stories with her toys may hold her attention better for now. One of mine was utterly book-resistant at 2 but as his attention and speech developed he found the love for them nearer 3.

You can self-refer to Speech and Language Therapy and I would always recommend it; waiting lists can be long and you can easily cancel if you feel DD no longer needs it.

[LHReturns]

OP, how many months over 2 is your daughter?

My DS had about 10 single words when he turned 2, literally. I was panic struck. He is now 2 + 4 months and things have exploded, and he is using two and the odd three word sentences. Usually all nouns ('Mummy car blue') but amazing progress.

As well as using words that I know he can attempt as Glittery advises, I also get down on his level and make eye contact when I am working on his vocabulary with him. It is hard work but he tries much harder when we are close together at the same level. He often ignores me if I just shout words and questions at him from the sofa.

Anyway don't sweat much - if her understanding is good then professionals don't get too stressed about expressive language until after 3. It is absolutely right that the range of 'normal' is much much broader for language than something like sitting unaided or walking.

[Miloarmadillo1]

The book 'Small Talk' by Nicola Lathey is very helpful.

[Zephyroux1]

I really like this, it's got loads of different activities that you can do that are fun and simple. I bought the baby one when my baby didn't babble and was so impressed that I got the toddler one for when she is older. icancharity.org.uk/resources/toddler-talk

[NickyEds]

How old is she exactly? In what way do you think she's behind? What can she say now? Does she understand things you say?