What characteristic is typical of a 2-year-old’s speech development?

A typical characteristic of a 2-year-old's speech development is the use of two-word phrases. At this stage, children are often starting to combine words to express more complex thoughts and ideas beyond just single words. This advancement indicates that they are progressing in their language skills, moving from simple labels to beginning to form basic sentences that communicate more detailed information about their needs or observations.

For instance, a 2-year-old might say "want cookie" or "big truck," combining a noun with a verb or adjective, which demonstrates their growing understanding of language structure. This two-word phrase stage usually occurs around 24 months, marking a significant milestone in speech and language development.

Children at this age typically haven’t yet developed the ability to form complex sentences, which often emerges later as they continue to expand their vocabulary and understanding of grammar. Therefore, the statement about using two-word phrases accurately reflects the typical speech development at this age.