Your baby: starting to talk

He'll enjoy sharing time when you read to him. It's helpful for you to pick out words, but let him see your face. Remember the movie ET? The little alien learnt by watching and repetition - your tot will do the same. He'll be starting to say, 'I want?' instead of 'Tom wants'. This is an important step, as he's beginning to think of himself as an individual. Children are curious and their constant 'whys' might drive you crazy, but it's important to be patient with them.

What you can do

• Instead of telling him what to do, turn the tables and ask him to tell you what he's doing. 'Why is teddy lying on the sofa?'
• Ask questions that are 'open ended' so he can begin to build up sentences. Always give him time to explain, and don't laugh when he gets words wrong.
• Try to answer his questions in simple terms and, when possible, demonstrate. When he goes to school, he'll be asked to do this in class and he'll be more confident if he's already seen you do it.

3-4 years
At around 3½ your toddler will be talking freely and should have a clear voice. He'll imitate what he hears, so take a moment to listen to yourself. Am I sounding cross or tired? Am I shouting? Encourage him to talk quietly when granny's having a nap and remind him about 'please' and 'thank you'.

His vocabulary is growing fast but don't worry about 'difficult words'. The majority of those he encounters are new and equally difficult. Most children enjoy tongue twisters and, because of their supple facial muscles, can usually say them better than adults.

Don't worry if your little one doesn't start talking at the same time as your friends' tots - children develop at different rates. If you're worried, speak to your health visitor and, if necessary, arrange a hearing test.

What you can do