Early Language Milestones
As parents, it’s natural to wonder if your child’s speech and language development is on track. Every child grows at their own pace, but understanding typical communication milestones can help you recognize when to celebrate progress and when to seek additional support.
In this guide, I’ll break down the key speech and language milestones from birth to three years old so you can better understand what to look for in your child. As a reminder, these milestones are based on AVERAGES, that means if your child is a little bit behind in their speech and language that doesn’t necessarily mean there is something “wrong” with them - however it’s always better to take an early approach to getting your child evaluated by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Read more about getting help for your late talker here.
This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a speech, language, hearing, or feeding problem or disease and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed speech-language pathologist and physician.
Speech vs. Language: What’s the Difference?
Speech: refers to how we say words (pronunciation, clarity, fluency).
Language: refers to the words we use and how we put them together to express thoughts and ideas.
Birth to 3 Months: Getting Started with Communication
At this stage, babies are learning how to interact with the world around them.
Reacts to loud sounds by startling or turning towards the noise
Calms down when spoken to in a soothing voice
Makes cooing sounds (e.g. “ooh”, “ahh”)
Cries differently for different needs (hungry, tired, uncomfortable)
Begins to recognize parents’ voices
How to Support Speech Development Birth to 3 Months
Talk to your baby frequently in a calm, sing-song voice
Make eye contact and respond to their coos and cries
Play simple back-and-forth vocal games (e.g., copy their coos)
4 to 6 Months: Experimenting with Sounds
At this stage your baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and starting to play with their voice.
Turns head toward sounds and voices
Babbles and makes a variety of sounds (e.g., “ba’, “da”, “ga”)
Laughs and giggles
Expresses excitement and frustration with sound
Begins to recognize their own name
How to Support Speech Development 4 to 6 Months
Talk and sing to your baby throughout the day
Encourage babbling by responding as if you’re having a conversation
Introduce books with bright pictures and simple words
7 to 12 Months: First Words and Nonverbal Communication
Your baby is learning that sounds have meaning and beginning to use gestures to communicate.
Babbles in a more speech-like way (e.g., “bababa”, “dadada”)
Responds to their name
Tries to imitate sounds and words
Use gestures (e.g., waving, reaching, clapping)
Understands simple words like “no” and “bye-bye”
Says one or two words (e.g., “mama”, “dada”) by their first birthday
How to Support Speech Development 7 to 12 Months
Uses gestures along with words (wave while saying “bye-bye”)
Narrate your daily activities (“time to eat!” “let’s go outside” “look a blue bird”)
Play interactive games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
12 to 18 Months: Expanding Vocabulary
Now that your toddler is saying their first words, they will start adding more to their vocabulary.
Says at least 5-10 words
Understands simple instructions (“give me the ball”)
Points to objects or pictures when named
Combines gestures with sounds (e.g. pointing and saying “up”)
Uses their voice to express needs (rather than crying)
How to Support Speech Development 12 to 18 Months
Label objects during play and daily routines (e.g., “this is a spoon” “the big black dog”)
Encourage them to imitate new words
Expand on what they say (if they say “dog” you can add “yes! A big black dog!”)
18 to 24 Months: Two-Word Phrases Begin
In this stage of development your toddler is starting to combine words and understand more complex language.
Has a vocabulary of about 50 words
Begins combining two-words (e.g. “want cookie”, “go park”)
Understands simple questions (“where’s your shoe?”)
Uses words more than gestures to request things
Points to body parts when asked (“where’s your nose?”)
How to Support Speech Development 18 to 24 Months
Ask simple questions close-ended (options included) questions (“do you want milk or juice?”)
Read books together and have them point to identify vocabulary
Encourage pretend play (e.g. feeding a doll, making animal sounds) and add elements to their play routines
2 to 3 Years: Conversations Begin
Your child is putting together sentences and starting to express themselves clearly.
Uses two- to three-word sentences (“I want a cookie”)
Has a vocabulary of +200 words by age 3
Understands two-step instructions (“get your book and sit down”)
Uses pronouns - although not always correctly (“I”, “me”, “you”)
Asks simple questions (“what’s that?” where go?”)
Speech is 50-75% intelligible to familiar listeners
How to Support Speech Development
Ask open-ended questions (“what did you do today?”)
Give your child choices to encourage language (“do you want the blue cup or the red cup?”)
Continue reading daily and expand on their sentences
When Should I Be Concerned?
All children develop at their own pace, but you should talk to your pediatrician and/or a speech-language pathologist if your child:
By 12 Months
Doesn’t respond to their own name
Doesn’t babble or make any speech-like sounds
Doesn’t use gestures (waving, pointing)
Doesn’t show interest in familiar or unfamiliar individuals
By 18 Months
Says fewer than 10 words
Doesn’t try to imitate words or sounds
Doesn’t respond to simple requests
By 24 Months
Says fewer than 50 words
Doesn’t combine two words together
Struggles to understand simple directions
By 3 Years
Speech is difficult to understand (even to family members)
Rarely speaks in sentences
Has trouble following directions or answering basic questions
Final Thoughts
Watching your child learn to communicate is an exciting journey, and it’s important to remember that every child develops in their own way. By talking to your child, reading, and playing together, you can help support your child’s speech and language skills. If you ever have concerns, trust your instincts and seek guidance from your pediatrician and a speech-language pathologist. Early support can make a big difference!
If you’re interested in learning more about how to help your late talker, checkout my article: My Child Isn’t Talking - What Do I Do? for the first steps.
