A warm, age-by-age look at what most children are doing with sounds and words, and when it can help to check in with a professional.
Every child grows at their own pace, and there is a wide range of what is considered typical. Still, milestones give us helpful signposts along the way. Here is a general guide to what many children are doing with their speech and language as they grow. Think of it as a friendly map, not a test.
By 12 months
- Babbles with strings of sounds like 'bababa' or 'dadada'
- Uses gestures like waving, pointing, and reaching
- Responds to their name and simple words like 'no'
- Says a first word or two, such as 'mama' or 'dada'
By 18 months
- Uses about 10 to 20 words
- Points to things they want or find interesting
- Follows simple one-step directions
- Tries to imitate words and sounds you say
By 2 years
- Uses 50 or more words and is adding new ones often
- Puts two words together, like 'more juice' or 'bye daddy'
- Is understood by familiar adults about half of the time
- Points to named pictures and a few body parts
By 3 years
- Uses short sentences of three or more words
- Is understood by familiar people most of the time
- Asks simple questions like 'what' and 'where'
- Follows two-step directions, like 'get your shoes and come here'
By 4 years
- Tells short stories and talks about their day
- Is understood by strangers most of the time
- Answers who, what, and where questions
- Uses most speech sounds, though a few may still be tricky
By 5 years
- Speaks clearly nearly all of the time
- Uses longer, grammatical sentences
- Notices rhyming words and plays with sounds
- Follows multi-step directions and tells longer stories
If your child is not meeting some of these milestones, try not to worry. Development is not a straight line, and a checklist is a guide, not a diagnosis. If something is on your mind, reaching out early is one of the kindest things you can do, and we are always happy to talk it through.
This article shares general information and is not a substitute for a personalized evaluation. Every child is unique. If you have questions about your child, we would love to help.