What should I do if my two-and-a-half-year-old child isn't talking yet?

When a child is two and a half years old and still not speaking, parents can take the following steps: 1. Observation and assessment: First observe the child's hearing, comprehension ability, and daily behavior to determine if there are signs of hearing impairment or autism spectrum disorder. 2. Create a language-rich environment: Ensure that the family consistently uses one primary language, minimize mixing multiple languages, communicate frequently with the child, and encourage verbalization. 3. Increase social stimulation: Take the child to parent-child activities and early education programs, and encourage interaction with peers to enhance expressive skills. 4. Encourage and praise: Avoid criticism or physical punishment; instead, offer frequent encouragement to build the child's confidence. 5. Evaluation and intervention: If the situation persists, seek medical evaluation promptly to check hearing, oral structures, and other factors, and follow the doctor’s recommendations for appropriate intervention.