POOJA KOTHARIMom of a 8 yr 5 m old boy1 Year agoA. At 21 months, it’s common for toddlers to have a limited vocabulary, but language development can vary widely from child to child. Here are some considerations and steps you can take to support your child's language development:
### Normal Language Development
1. **Vocabulary Size**: By 21 months, many children have a vocabulary of around 50 words, though this can vary. Saying only 2-3 words might be on the lower end but still within a range of normal variation.
2. **Developmental Milestones**: Language development is one of many developmental milestones. Some children develop speech more slowly but catch up over time.
### Supporting Language Development
1. **Encourage Communication**: Engage in regular conversation with your child, even if they can only say a few words. Describe what you’re doing, ask simple questions, and respond to their attempts to communicate.
2. **Read Together**: Read books with your child daily. Point to pictures, name objects, and discuss the story to build their vocabulary.
3. **Expand on Speech**: When your child uses words, expand on them. For example, if they say "dog," you might say, "Yes, that’s a big brown dog."
4. **Sing Songs and Rhymes**: Songs and nursery rhymes can help with language learning and memory.
### When to Seek Help
1. **Consult a Pediatrician**: If you’re concerned about your child’s language development or if there are other developmental concerns, discussing them with your pediatrician can provide guidance and reassurance.
2. **Speech-Language Pathologist**: If recommended by your pediatrician, a speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s speech and language development and provide targeted strategies to support their progress.
### Keep in Mind
- **Individual Variability**: Each child develops at their own pace. While early intervention can be helpful, many children with slower speech development catch up over time with appropriate support.
By engaging with your child and providing them with rich language experiences, you’re helping to support their communication skills.
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