18–21 months
Putting Words Together
From single words to two-word combinations.
Between 18 and 21 months, many toddlers start combining two words into short phrases — "want candy," "more milk," "mine." A well-documented caregiver technique called expansion (or recasting) — repeating a child's one-word utterance back as a fuller phrase, without correcting or making a big deal of it — is one of the most natural ways to model this next step. The goal is more words together, not correct grammar; staying relaxed about mistakes keeps the language feeling usable rather than tested.
- Two-word combinations: want + object, mine, more + object
- Expansion & recasting: repeating one word back as a fuller phrase
- Functional requests your toddler can actually use
- No correction — model naturally instead
Putting Words Together
Your toddler's first two-word combinations — modeled and gently expanded, not corrected.
2 scenarios
Family & Friends
Naming who's around and a first simple greeting.
2 scenarios
Getting Dressed Myself
Independence phrases as your toddler starts wanting to do it alone.
2 scenarios
Snack Time Choices
Choosing between two options — an early decision-making phrase.
2 scenarios
Simple Feelings
Two-word feeling expressions your toddler can use to describe themselves.
2 scenarios