Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Language Development and Communication (LDC)

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children participate in conversations with peers and adults in one-on-one, small, and larger group interactions.

Skill Progression: Participate in conversations with peers and adults

Age: 21-24 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 21-24 Months.

Observe the child in solitary play and in play interactions with others and/or during daily routines with the adult.

No elicitation needed.

The child initiates a conversation (e.g. “See my baby”) and takes one or two turns in a conversation (e.g., “Child: “My baby hungry.” Adult: “She needs her bottle.” Child: (while holding bottle) “Eat baby.” Adult: “She’s happy now.” Child: “Baby happy now.”)

Encourage parents to talk to the child in the car, when reading books, at lunch and dinner, during playtime, etc. Too often early childhood educators and parents do not carry on conversations; rather they give directions, ask questions, and merely comment on the child’s current activity. Encourage adults to initiate conversations with the child about her activities and family. For example, talk about the food being eaten, the actions she is doing, what she did before eating, and what will happen after the meal. Give the child time to take a turn in the conversation.