Speech and Language Milestones to Watch: Is My Child on Track?

As a parent, it's natural to wonder whether your child’s speech and language development is progressing as expected. Understanding key milestones can help you determine if your child is on track or if they may need additional support. In this post, we’ll break down typical speech and language milestones by age and offer guidance on when to seek professional help.

Speech vs. Language: What's the Difference?

Before diving into milestones, it’s important to differentiate between speech and language:

• Speech refers to how sounds are made, including articulation, voice, and fluency.

• Language refers to how we use and understand words to communicate. It includes both expressive language (speaking) and receptive language (understanding others).

Both are essential for effective communication, and delays in either area may indicate the need for early intervention.

Speech & Language Milestones by Age

Birth to 6 Months

• Coos and makes gurgling sounds

• Reacts to sounds by turning their head

• Begins to make different cries for different needs (e.g. hunger, discomfort)

• Smiles in response to interaction

6 to 12 Months

• Babbles with a variety of sounds (e.g., "ba-ba", "da-da")

• Responds to their name and familiar voices

• Understands simple words like "no" and "bye-bye"

• Uses gestures like waving or reaching

12 to 18 Months

• First words typically spoken around 12 months

• Understands and follows simple commands ("Give me the ball")

• Points to objects or people they want

• Tries to imitate words

18 to 24 Months

• Vocabulary of 50 words by 18 months, growing to 200+ by age 2

• Starts combining two words together ("More milk", "Big truck")

• Understands more than they can say

• Identifies familiar objects when named

2 to 3 Years

• Vocabulary grows to 200-300 words

• Starts to combine two to three words into simple sentences

• Can follow simple instructions

• Asks questions using "what" and "where"

3 to 4 Years

• Vocabulary expands to 1,000 words or more

• Uses four to five-word sentences

• Can tell stories and describe events

• Understands basic concepts (e.g., colors, shapes)

4 to 5 Years

• Vocabulary grows to over 2,000 words

• Uses longer sentences with more complex structures

• Can explain ideas and feelings

• Understands and uses language for different purposes (e.g., asking questions, making requests)

5 Years and Older

• Continues to expand vocabulary and sentence complexity

• Can discuss topics in detail and express opinions

• Understands and uses figurative language

• Engages in conversations and takes turns speaking

When to Seek Help

Every child develops at their own pace, but consider reaching out to a speech-language pathologist if your child:

❌ Isn’t babbling or making sounds by 6–9 months

❌ Doesn’t respond to their name or familiar words by 12 months

❌ Has fewer than 20 words by 18 months

❌ Struggles to put two words together by age 2

❌ Is difficult to understand by age 3

❌ Seems frustrated when trying to communicate

Early intervention is key! The sooner a speech or language delay is identified, the more effective therapy can be.

How Parents Can Support Language Development

• Talk, talk, talk! Describe what you’re doing, label objects, and engage in conversation.

• Read daily. Books introduce new vocabulary and encourage listening skills.

• Sing songs and nursery rhymes. Rhythm and repetition help reinforce speech patterns.

• Give choices. Instead of asking, “Do you want a snack?” try, “Do you want an apple or a banana?”

• Encourage, don’t correct. If your child says “wabbit,” respond with “Yes, that’s a rabbit!” instead of pointing out the mistake.

  
  

By staying informed and engaged, you can help support your child’s communication skills and ensure they have the best possible foundation for learning and social development.