My child only uses single words to communicate. How can I encourage her to link words together to make small phrases?
You can help develop your child's use of language by using the “Match + 1 strategy
Children learn by copying the language they hear. They need good examples to copy so that they can make their own sentences longer. With Match +1 you simply add a word to what your child has said.
For example: your child is playing with a ball;
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Child says, “Ball”; you say, “Big ball”.
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Child says, “Big ball”; you say, “Big, Red ball”.
Don’t worry if they don’t repeat it straight away, they will do so when they are ready. So keep using match +1.