How can I support speech development in a toddler aged 1–3 years?
Applies to age: 12–36 months
In short
Talk with your child, play and read together. When your child (12–18 months) pronounces a word incorrectly, say the word correctly; after asking a question (2–3 years), give your child plenty of time to answer.
What is normal
Some claims: international norm
- A child's mental development is supported through play together, conversations and learning new skills; not only the amount but also the quality of the time spent together matters.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
O rozwój psychiczny dziecka dba się poprzez wspólną zabawę, rozmowy, naukę nowych umiejętności.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]
- Reading with your child, play, conversation and walks build a bond and trust.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Spędzając czas z dzieckiem, np. na zabawie albo rozmowie, spacerze, czytaniu, budujecie silną więź i zaufanie do siebie.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]
- At 12–18 months, when your child tries to say a word but gets it wrong, say the word correctly.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
If your child is trying to say a word but gets it wrong, say the word properly.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 12–18 months, a child's vocabulary grows when you give your child a choice, such as between an apple and a banana.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Increase your child's vocabulary by giving them choices, such as, "Do you want an apple or a banana?".
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 12–18 months, doing actions while singing together helps your child remember the words.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Doing the actions helps your child to remember the words.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 18–24 months, repeating words helps your child remember them.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Repetition helps your child to remember words.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 18–24 months, short and simple instructions help your child understand what is being asked.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Keeping instructions short and simple will help your child understand.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 18–24 months, play and listening to stories teach speech better than television, so it is worth limiting your child's daily TV time.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Limit your child's daily TV time - playing and listening to stories is more helpful when they're learning to talk.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- A child starts to put simple sentences together at around 2 years of age.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Help them build sentences – your child will start to put simple sentences together at around age 2.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 2–3 years, after asking your child a question, give your child plenty of time to answer.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
If you ask a question, give them plenty of time to answer you.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 2–3 years, background noise (television, radio) makes it harder for your child to listen, so it is worth switching it off.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Switch off the television and radio – background noise makes it harder for your child to listen to you.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- At 2–3 years, everyday activities done together with your child, such as shopping, cooking or cleaning, are an opportunity to talk.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Chat about what you're doing as you do chores like shopping, cooking and cleaning together.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
- In a bilingual family, it is important to talk to your child in the language in which you feel comfortable.
Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
The important thing is to talk to your child in whatever language feels comfortable to you.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]
See a doctor
- If your child develops differently from peers, it is worth consulting a specialist about what worries you and using the advice of a midwife, nurse or pediatrician.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Warto jednak skonsultować ze specjalistą to, co Cię zaniepokoiło i korzystać z rad położnej, pielęgniarki czy pediatry.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.
- NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.