At approximately what age do children begin communicating through telegraphic speech?

Children typically begin using telegraphic speech around the age of 2 years. This form of speech involves the use of two or three words to convey a complete thought, often omitting less critical words like articles and prepositions. For example, a child might say "want cookie" instead of "I want a cookie." This stage reflects a significant advancement in language development, indicating that children are beginning to understand how to combine words meaningfully, even if they are not yet using complete sentences.

At around this age, children's vocabulary is expanding rapidly, and they are developing the cognitive ability to express simple ideas and desires. This shift towards telegraphic speech marks the transition from single words, often used around the first year, to more complex forms of communication. As children continue to grow and develop, they will refine their language skills, gradually incorporating additional vocabulary and grammatical structures.