During which period do children start forming short sentences to express their wants and needs?

Children typically begin to form short sentences to express their wants and needs during the period of 18 to 24 months. At this stage, most toddlers enter what is referred to as the "telegraphic speech" phase, where they start combining two or three words to create simple sentences. These sentences often convey essential meanings, such as requests or descriptions, despite being short and lacking grammatical structures.

This developmental milestone is significant because it marks a transition from single-word utterances to more complex forms of expression, showing increased cognitive and linguistic development. Children in this age range may say things like “more juice” or “go park,” demonstrating their ability to communicate their desires more effectively as their vocabulary expands and their understanding of language grows. Thus, this two-year-old stage is critical for encouraging communication, as it helps children feel empowered to express their needs.