Almost 3 year old not forming 2/3 word sentences, any help or advice?

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DS is in a lovely nursery and today they asked me to come in next week for a meeting about his speech. He’s saying individual words but not quite asking questions or forming short sentences.
I try to read to him (when he’ll sit still enough)I narrate our journey and what I’m doing etc. I was just wondering if anyone has any other tips to help him along. As far as I can see he’s hitting other milestones. He’s I n nursery full time, I work full time with the odd night away and DH is away a lot but when he’s at home he’s very present and hands on. I guess I’m giving that info as I feel now a bit embarrassed that I didn’t notice and they had to approach me. Mum guilt hitting me like a tonne of bricks tonight.

Don't feel guilty it often takes an outsiders perspective xxx

Thanks Lucky, I want to do what’s best for DS. He’s 3 at end of May so just wondering how to help him at home.

I'm sure someone will come along with ideas soon but sounds like you're on the right track and hate the thought of you feeling guilty!

Reading in the bath or at dinner could help if he's a fidget!

They may advise sessions with a speech therapist. Does he understand everything you say to him? Is his hearing ok do you think ? Did he have ear infections as a baby?

Thanks again Lucky.
Living-he understands absolutely everything and follows instructions (as much as an almost three year old does)
He’s only ever had one ear infection and it was 2 weeks ago!
I’ve just looked up speech therapists near me. Hopefully nursery might have a specialist that can come in and observe. Maybe that doesn’t exist...

I referred my son at 22 months old to the speech and language team...however I'm an early years teacher so could recognise he wasn't where he should be. He's just turned 3 and is now saying short sentences "where are you?" "Mammys phone" "look green truck" etc.

Nursery will no doubt do a speech referral which is great. Your little one sounds fab and you are doing a lot. Keep doing what your doing.

I think lots of chat to him - slowly and clearly - is good. Pause so that he can speak back to you. Eating together is very beneficial too for children- you can talk about food and tastes .. and just general chit chat about your day.
Don’t be worried- if there is a difficulty early intervention is key and it sounds as if you have it under control now

Thank you for the tips and reassurance

Do you have a drop in session? My DD has had a few problems and the HV sent us to the speech therapy drop in and then she was seen by the ST separately.
What you do at home is the most important at this age but like my DD most catch up anyway.

Our DS didn't talk until he was 3. People said he'd just suddenly start, and he did. All of a sudden he went from very little to full sentences. Doctor said that he'd been listening and processing even though he wasn't talking. If they're hitting other milestones, I wouldn't worry.

It's great you're onboard and happy for nursery to be picking up on it and taking action. Some parents are in denial and almost 'take offence'.

Sounds like you are doing everything that's recommended anyway, lots of easy to understand and copy chat, e.g if he points and says 'plane' you repeat back 'yes, plane in the sky' nice and clearly, he says 'juice' you repeat back 'juice cup please'...actually give him the words to copy, just linking a few, nothing complicated. He will get there. They may suggest a hearing test just to rule any physical issues out. Some children just take a little longer, try not to worry.

Does he respond to rhymes? Singing nursery rhymes and songs with him (including actions) could be a good way to get him to repeat sounds he's hearing?

Does he mimic what you say? Can you play back and forth games with sounds? Talk to him while you play together?

Don't feel guilty! It's hard when it's your first, especially if you don't see/know many other children of the same age as you don't know what "normal" is. A nursery setting can pick up potential delays more easily as they have seen lots of children of the same age and would notice daily seeing him vs other children that his vocabulary isn't quite the same. Lots of children do just take longer to grasp it though so try not to worry.

Thanks all- His nursery is fab, so I’m sure they’ll have some ideas.
I’ll try the suggestions, ordered some more books on amazon aswell to try and entice some more reading. We currently do rhymes but just thinking we haven’t done mealtime chat and I’ll really focus on picking his choice of word and making it into a small sentence.

Talk one step ahead of him. For example if he talks in single words you use two. He uses two you use three.
Describe and comment. Avoid direct questions and don't ask him to repeat something you say. This all adds pressure.
Rhymes and rhyming stories are great.
If he struggles to say something model it for him but don't get him to repeat or tell him it's said this way.
Use the word wonder rather that what etc. Eg I wonder what's in the box. Rather than what's in the box. He's under no pressure to answer. If he doesn't answer you can fill in. Eg oh look. It's a small red car.