Pronouns at 21 months

[RunningOnHope]

My 21 month old DD is a right chatterbox and seems to be picking up new language all the time. This last couple of weeks she is using lots of pronouns - you, me, us, hers, his.

But she uses "you" to refer to herself (since I guess we use "you" to refer to her!) and will use "me" to refer to me. It's all very logical, but I don't know if using them properly is just something she'll pick up in time or if I should try to explain - and how on earth to explain that she is "me" to herself and I am "you" to her?!

She'll work it out, no need to try to explain!

You don't need to explain it to her, she's 21 months. It'll just come with time and speech development.

It’s too hard to explain, she’ll work it out in time

Don't worry, it's very common at that age. Only considered a oroblem if they are still doing it by 4ish

Just keep modelling the correct sentence for her when she uses the wrong pronouns and she'll work it out in time.

My eldest was reversing pronouns at 4.5 and had speech therapy for it, but he didn't speak at all until nearly 3, so there were bigger issues at play.

At that sort of age, it's quite normal to use 'motherese' which tends to avoid pronouns and use names instead. So, instead of 'shall I give you a biscuit', 'shall mummy give timmy a biscuit?'

She'll get there!

If you want to intensively model the correct use, play a game with her and another adult and talk repeatedly about whose turn it is / who has something:

• Would YOU like some cake Nana?

-Oh yes, is that MY slice?

• Yes, that's YOURS, this one is MINE

Etc etc etc

Aw my ds did that until he was nearly 3. It was so cute. It just sorted itself out all of a sudden.

She’ll work it out.

My 20MO says 'you' for himself. I think it's quite sweet really. Just assumed in time he would eventually figure out that it's 'me' for himself, and 'you' for someone else :)

My friend's son did that - it was adorable but very confusing! He did work it out soon enough, although he couldn't quite say 'mummy', so he referred to himself as 'me' and his mum as 'mee' for absolutely ages!

Thanks everyone, really helpful!

Yeah my 2 year old did this too and also used her own name. 'Tanya did a poo in the potty, didn't tanya' for example!
I didn't explain anything to her and just noticed last week that you has been replaced with I! She's 2.5. Normal development I guess, very cute and needs no intervention.