A toddler’s capacity for language typically evolves a great deal as they progress towards preschool. Their ability to understand others and express themselves grows more sophisticated, with sometimes heartwarming and surprising results. The following are some changes you can expect.

An impressive vocabulary

Your child’s vocabulary grows impressively between ages one and three, from a handful of words at their first birthday party to over 1,000 by their third. A three-year-old should also be able to use relatively complex phrases and sentences. At two, they’d have known up to 200 words and been able to form simple sentences.

Getting good at grammar and syntax

As their vocabulary grows, so does their understanding of grammar and syntax. At age one, children are using single words to convey their needs and wants. At two years old, they are beginning to use two-word phrases and sentences, such as "more juice" or "mommy up." By age three, their sentences become more complex with the use of articles, prepositions, and pronouns.

Here’s some exciting news: their grammar and syntax are getting better all the time. A one-year-old will generally use single words to express themselves, but a three-year-old should be able to say full sentences with the correct articles, propositions, and pronouns. A two-year-old will be mastering two-word phrases to tell you what’s what regularly.

Your toddler can narrate the day.

On the subject of what’s what, as your child’s language skills develop, their recollections and stories make more and more sense. At one point, they may have made basic comments on the pictures in their books. By two, they could be making up short stories or playing pretend with their friends. At three, they often comprehend sequencing and become little raconteurs.

Social graces

Do you remember when you learned your manners? It can be hard to cast your mind back this far, but most three-year-olds can hold a social conversation and say “please” and “thank you” when they should. At one point, they were speaking primarily to communicate their needs and wants. The not-do-terrible twos do often come with an understanding of social rules, including taking turns in conversation and responding appropriately.

Bilingual language development

This one is interesting: if your child was exposed to two languages from birth, they’ll know to distinguish between them as a toddler. Even if they mix them from time to time, by three, they’ll be able to switch easily between them and may have a larger overall vocabulary than they would if they were monolingual.

How does language development change as my child grows?

For Unii’s Toddler Development Journey, we look at how your child’s language skills evolve between the ages of one and three.