Putting two early words together

Why is this important?

As children are beginning to string words together, words such as ‘more’, ‘gone’ and ‘bye-bye’ can be added to the object names that the child has acquired. They are a fun and easy way to develop two-word phrases. These are often referred to as pivot phrases.

What to do – ‘more’

• Choose high-interest items for this activity!
• Break a biscuit, apple, banana, piece of toast into small bite-size pieces and pass the child a small piece to eat.
• When he/she reaches or vocalises for ‘more’, say ‘more biscuit’ and pass over another piece.
• As this becomes consistent, encourage the child to ask for ‘more’. Pause as he/ she is reaching to give a chance for the word to be used.
• Remember – it doesn’t matter if the word isn’t perfect!
• When the child is using ‘more’,encourage joining the ‘more’ with the item (e.g. ‘more apple’).
• Blow bubbles: encourage the child to say ‘more bubbles’ before you respond.

What to do – ‘gone’

• Gather together a box or bag and some everyday objects/toys.
• Encourage the child to post the objects into the box/bag.
• As each one is posted, you say ‘gone’.
• Now pause after each object has been posted, waiting to see if the child will copy.
  • When the child is consistently using ‘gone’, begin to join ‘object + gone’ as the child posts the objects or puts them away in the bag

(e.g. ‘keys gone’, ‘brush gone’).