Two Together — Putting Words Side by Side
Parent plays a picture book or object exploration game that naturally elicits two-word combinations. Agent guides parent to notice and celebrate when their toddler puts two words together, and to model two-word phrases during play.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and toddler with a picture book or small set of toys (animals, vehicles, food items). Comfortable setting for interactive play.
How it works
- 1~20s
Start by playing with the toys or looking at the book. Model lots of two-word phrases yourself: 'Big dog!' 'Car go!' 'More juice!' Keep them simple and connected to what you see. Does your child watch and listen when you do this?
Watch for: attends_to_two_word_models
- 2~20s
Now try to get your child to describe what they sees. Point to something in the book or hold up a toy and ask: 'What's the dog doing?' or 'What color is the car?' Give your child time to answer. What comes out?
Watch for: produces_two_word_combinations
- 3~20s
Here's a sneaky one — put a favorite snack or toy just out of reach. When your child wants it, instead of giving it right away, model: 'Want cookie?' or 'More crackers?' Does your child use two words to ask for things?
Watch for: uses_two_words_for_requests
- 4
Tell me about the kinds of words your child uses. We've been listening for combinations, but what's in your child's word bank? Does they have names for things (nouns), action words (verbs like 'go,' 'eat,' 'push'), and describing words (like 'big,' 'hot,' 'yucky')?
Watch for: uses_varied_word_types