Toddlers' first words are almost always name labels for things that are important to them; not labels for things they need, like "drink" or "potty", but about joy. His first labels will be for beloved or exciting people or things -- parents, visitors, animals or gorgeous new shoes! New words usually come slowly, at the start of the second year, but understanding grows at pace. When he's stored up lots of words he understands, your toddler will produce a spade! It's not unusual to have ten words at eighteen months and two hundred by age two! He makes those single words work for him, too, by using a richness of inflection and tone that can convey anything from shocked disapproval, to grateful delight! When sentences come, they'll be logical, but that means that in English they'll seldom be correct. He says "he goed" and "wented" -- he begs you to see "lots doggies". Don't correct him, don't try to make him say things properly, and never, never pretend not to understand him when you do. His talk doesn't come from imitating you, but out of a desire to communicate. It's the best he can offer, and if you reject it, you'll reduce his motivation to talk. And all the matters right now is that he should talk and listen, understand, and enjoy the whole enthralling new business of speech!
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