* Single words: "Milk," "Up," "No," "Ball"
* Two-word phrases: "More milk," "Want juice," "Go park"
* Repetitive phrases: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy," "No, no, no"
* Imitation: They might copy sounds or words they hear adults say, even if they don't fully understand the meaning.
* Gestures: Pointing, waving, pulling, and other physical actions are used to communicate their needs and desires.
However, toddlers DO develop their own unique ways of saying things, which could be considered "slang" in a broader sense. Here are some examples:
* Mispronunciations: "nana" for "banana," "wawa" for "water"
* Made-up words: They might create their own words for things, often using sounds that resemble the real word.
* "Baby talk": They may use a simplified version of adult words, like "baba" for "bottle" or "choo-choo" for "train."
It's important to remember:
* Toddler communication is constantly evolving: They are learning new words and concepts every day.
* What might seem like "slang" is really their way of expressing themselves: They are trying to communicate their needs and thoughts in a way that they understand.
Instead of thinking of it as "slang," try to see it as a glimpse into their developing language skills and unique way of seeing the world.