If your 2-year-old says only a handful of words like “papa,” “mumma,” or “aao,” you’re not alone—and you’re not late. Every child learns at their own rhythm, but early, playful language support can make a world of difference.
Below is a goal-driven, therapist-designed plan you can follow over the next 3 months to spark real vocabulary growth.
🎯 3-Month Vocabulary Goals
By week 12 your child should be able to:
- Use functional words such as “give” (dedo), “come” (aao), “water,” “milk,” etc.
- Say kinship terms like mummy, papa, dadi, bhaiya, didi.
- Name at least 5 fruits (apple, banana, mango, etc.).
- Identify and name body parts (nose, eyes, hands, tummy, etc.).
We’ll reach these goals through play-based, feel-good activities you can do at home.
Functional-Word Activities
1. “Dedo” Toy Request Basket
Objective: Teach dedo (“give”).
How:
- Place favourite toys in a clear basket. Hold one up and ask, “Do you want this car? Say dedo!”
- Wait for any attempt, then give the toy.
Why it works: Creates a natural need to request.
2. Water Wait Game
Objective: Encourage paani + dedo.
How:
- Hold the water bottle just out of reach: “What do you want? Say paani dedo.”
- Praise any attempt.
Why it works: Thirst = instant motivation.
3. Snack Time Switcheroo
Objective: Build mujhe, chahiye, aur.
How:
- Offer one snack piece at a time: “Do you want more? Say aur chahiye!”
- Require dedo / mujhe dedo before giving the snack.
Why it works: Introduces two- and three-word functional phrases.
4. Mystery Box Game
Objective: Practise lo, dedo, early requesting.
How:
- Hide little surprises in a box. To open it, child must say “open”/kholo.
- For each object: “Car dedo, spoon dedo, apple dedo.”
Why it works: Kids love surprises; speech unlocks the fun.
5. Coin in the Box Game
Objective: Reinforce dedo while building turn-taking.
- Hand child a coin: “Coin chahiye? Bolo dedo coin.”
- After they speak, give coin; child drops it in the slot.
- Repeat 5-10 times.
Parent tips: Accept close approximations first; swap coins for buttons or pom-poms.
6. Sticker Reward Commands
Objective: Get child requesting with haan, chahiye, aur.
- Show a sticker: “Sticker chahiye? Bolo haan / chahiye.”
- After one sticker: hold another—“Aur chahiye?”
Tips: Always wait for the word before handing over; big praise for even partial attempts.
7. Teddy Bear Feeding
Objective: Use action words khaana, lo, dedo.
- Feed teddy: “Teddy ko khaana dedo.”
- Swap roles, repeat with different pretend foods.
Tips: Exaggerate teddy’s hunger; repeat key words 3-5 times per turn.
8. Door-Open Game (“Aao” Cue)
Objective: Teach aao (come), andar (inside), bahar (outside).
- Parent knocks: “Mumma andar aaye? Bolo aao.”
- Enter only after child says/gestures aao.
- Reverse roles and locations for repetition.
9. Car Push Game
Objective: Practise lo, mujhe, aur with toy cars.
- “Car chahiye? Bolo do / mujhe dedo.”
- Push car over only after the attempt; then child returns car: “Ab Mumma ko dedo.”
10. High-Five “Nahi” Game
Objective: Differentiate haan (yes) vs. nahi (no).
- Give normal high-fives 2–3 times.
- Then say “High-five! … Nahi!” and pull back.
- Child learns to listen and respond correctly.
Kinship-Term Activities
Activity 1: Family Photo Scrapbook
- Create a mini album with labelled photos: Papa, Mummy, Dadi / Dada, Bhaiya, Didi, Chachu, Nani.
- Daily 5-minute “reading” sessions: “Yeh kaun hai? … Dadi!”
- Later ask child to find pages: “Papa dikhaiye.”
- Show real person + photo to link image and life.
Tips: Let child carry the book, add stickers to keep it fun.
Photo Delivery Game
- Give child a photo: “Yeh Papa ka photo hai. Papa ko dedo.”
- Child walks over and hands it to the right person.
- Start with 2–3 relatives, then add more.
Pretend Phone Calls
- Use toy or real phone: “Chalo, Dadi ko call karein.”
- Model: “Hello Dadi! … Lo, [child] baat karega.”
- Real relatives can join for 30-second calls.
Touch-and-Say Game
- Family members stand in corners.
- Parent calls: “Papa ko chhoo ke bolo Papa! ”
- Child runs, touches Papa, says name.
- Mix orders, add hugs or props to keep it lively.
🎂 Birthday Flashback Fun
- Watch old birthday photos/videos.
- Pause: “Yeh kaun hai? Didi?”
- Celebrate each correct name with high-five or sticker.
Drawing the Family
- Draw or colour simple faces together.
- Label each: “Yeh Papa ka face.”
- Hang poster on wall; review names daily.
Family Song Time
- Adapt a tune (e.g., “Twinkle Twinkle”): “This is my Papa, he lifts me high…
This is my Dadi, who tells me why…” - Add gestures & photos; sing nightly.
Fruit Vocabulary Activities
Fruit Mystery Box
- Hide 3–5 real/plastic fruits in a covered box.
- Child pulls one out: “Yeh kya hai?”
- Model and celebrate even partial tries: “Mango! Wah!”
Fruit Painting
- Halve fruits, dip in non-toxic paint, stamp on paper.
- Say name with every stamp: “Apple! Stamp karo, apple.”
- Label prints after drying for print awareness.
Real Fruit Tasting Tray
- Offer bite-sized pieces of banana, apple, mango, etc.
- Prompt: “Yeh kya hai? Banana! Sweet hai?”
- Explore taste words: sweet, juicy, crunchy.
Fruit Basket Sorting Game
- Label baskets: Apple 🍎, Banana 🍌, Orange 🍊.
- Child sorts mixed pile into correct basket: “Yeh kya hai? Banana? Banana basket mein.”
- Praise: “Sahi basket! Banana bhi bola!”
Fruits Flashcard Hunt
- Hide fruit flashcards around the room.
- Child finds one: “Kya mila? Apple!”
- Lay cards out, review names again.
Juice Shop Pretend Play
- Set up a toy juice stand.
- Vendor (parent): “Juice le lo! Apple, mango, orange!”
- Ask: “Kya juice chahiye?”
- Child: “Apple juice!” (model full phrase)
- Switch roles for extra speaking practice.
Fruit Puzzle Time
- Wooden or printable puzzles.
- Each fit: “Yeh kya hai? Grapes! Bolo grapes.”
- Review all fruits after completion.
Fruit Storybook Reading
- Use The Very Hungry Caterpillar or a DIY fruit book.
- Pause on each page: “Dekho! Orange! Bolo orange.”
- Mime eating or show size to make it memorable.
- Quick recap at the end: “Yeh kya tha? Apple! Aur yeh?”
Ready, Set, Talk!
Consistency beats intensity. Aim for 5- to 10-minute bursts of any activity, daily. Celebrate every attempt—gestures, partial words, even the tiniest sounds—and gradually shape them into clear speech.
You’ve got this! 🌱 Need extra guidance? Reach out to a certified Speech-Language Therapist (SLP) for personalised support.