TALK
Say it back, a bit longer
When your toddler speaks, the NHS suggests replying with a sentence a few words longer than theirs, and saying it correctly without criticising.
What to expect by ageStart
WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Talk with me,
not at a screen.
Toddlers learn to talk by talking with us.
NHS guidance comes back to everyday chat: naming things, repeating words back, singing and playing together. UK screen time advice published in 2026 asks for very little screen time before age five.
CHAT BACKevery day
See what to expectKeep in mind
- Name what you see
- Add one more word
- Screens off for play
- Small chats, big words
THE SHORT ANSWER
Chat, play,
then chat some more.
Talking grows out of everyday moments.
The guidance is about how we join in.
PLAY
Quiet play time
Set aside play time each day and turn off the TV and radio. Background noise makes it harder for small children to listen.
Four habits
SCREENS
Very little before five
UK guidance says avoid screens for under-2s, apart from shared moments like video calls, and aim for no more than an hour a day from 2 to 5.
See the numbersGeneral information only, not professional safety advice. If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How is talking
coming along?
Pick an age to see what NHS speech and language guidance describes as typical. The bar shows roughly how far along the journey to sentences that stage is.
Children develop at different rates. If you are worried, talk to your health visitor or GP. This is general information, not medical advice.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
The early years
do the heavy lifting.
One figure on how fast young brains grow,
one on how many children find talking hard.
90%
Brain growth before age five
The UK government's Best Start in Life screen time guidance says 90% of brain growth happens before the age of five, and that screen time should not replace play, sleep or time with parents.
BRAIN GROWTH · BEST START IN LIFE
1.9million
UK children struggling with talking
The charity Speech and Language UK says 1.9 million children in the UK are struggling with talking and understanding words.
TALKING · SPEECH AND LANGUAGE UK
Best Start in Life advises no screen time for under-2s except shared activities like video calls with family, and aiming for 1 hour a day or less for 2 to 5 year olds.
FOUR HABITS TO TRY
More words,
no flashcards needed.
None of these needs special toys or apps. They come from NHS advice on helping toddlers learn to talk and UK screen time guidance.
Step 1
Talk through the day
Chat about shopping, cooking and tidying. Toddlers like to help, and naming what you do gives them new words.
Step 2
Repeat and add a word
If they say "ball", try "a big ball". Say mistaken words back the right way, without telling them off.
Step 3
Give choices
Ask "apple or banana?" Offering two named options builds vocabulary and gives them a reason to answer.
Step 4
Keep mealtimes screen-free
Switch off background TV and keep phones away at meals and in bedrooms, so there is room to chat.
SCREENS AND SMALL CHILDREN
Watch together,
and not for long.
The 2026 guidance suggests choosing slow, predictable programmes over fast, social-media-style videos, watching and talking about them together, and avoiding screens for about an hour before bed.
It also notes that children copy adults' phone habits, and that long spells on a phone can make it harder to notice what a child needs. Children with special educational needs may need a more tailored approach.
Questions
Questions on the way
How many words should a two-year-old say?
NHS Scotland's Let's Talk guidance describes around 50 words at two, with children starting to join two words together. Children develop at different rates, so this is a guide, not a test.
How much screen time is OK for a toddler?
UK Best Start in Life guidance says to avoid screen time for under-2s, apart from shared moments like video calls with family, and to aim for 1 hour a day or less for children aged 2 to 5.
Do dummies affect talking?
The NHS says it is hard to talk with a dummy in the mouth. It suggests offering one only at sleep time and aiming to stop completely by 12 months.
Will speaking two languages confuse my child?
The NHS says growing up with more than one language can benefit a child's learning and supports their English. Speak whichever language feels comfortable.
What if I am worried about my child's talking?
Talk to your GP or health visitor, who can refer your child to speech and language therapy. The NHS says you can also refer your child to a speech and language therapist yourself.
Destination