How do I teach a 2 year old to talk

[rideacockhorse]

My 2 year doesn't speak, he's had his hearing tested and it is fine. He does babble which he started to do at about 18 months.

How do I encourage him to speak? I must be doing something wrong as he doesn't talk yet. All other milestones hit fine and his understanding of instructions is good. Any ideas ?

Is he just 2 or nearly 3?

I'm a mum of 3 and 2 of my kids (boys) weren't talking at just gone 2.

How is his comprehension? Would he understand a simple sentence like "can you get your shoes?" "Do you want more toast?"

Sorry you answered the comprehension part.

There's a range of ages when talking starts and I understand the worry that it hasn't happened yet.

You are probably doing this but speak slowly, provide longer than natural pauses for replies and get down on his level to make eye contact so he knows you have his full attention.

Hi, yes he understands and is just 2. I should leave more pauses that's a good idea.

Hi, the bullet points is this article have some good pointers. www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/first-words/

A relative who's a speech and language therapist emphasised leaving pauses to give DD opportunities to speak. (I was doing the talking to her all the time thing, and she gently implied that DD couldn't get a word in edgeways!) So she advised asking DD questions - ideally about something she was really interested in - and leaving a lonnnng pause, much longer than you would do in ordinary conversation, to give her an opportunity to speak. So something like, 'do you want a cracker or a breadstick?'

She also advised slowing my speech down and paring back sentences to make it easier for her to pick out words, as well as repeating some key words. So you might say something like 'here's your water. Water in the cup'.

Hope that's helpful. Have you thought about having a word with your health visitor?

I'm not sure you can.

I had two late talkers- 3 and 3.5 years.

I retrospect I wish I had done baby signing, but I didn't know about it.
Hearing tests were done.
One required speech therapy, the other became very eloquent very quickly.

@Rainatnight
Thanks

yes HV not interested

Hearing test ok

I second giving your child time to respond. Try not to anticipate his every need either; if you’re doing that, it cuts down his reason to communicate.

OP have you had a name change fail by any chance?

@Rainatnight but doesn't really matter. I change name all the time.