Parents closely monitor their child’s communication development, often wondering if their child is progressing at a typical pace. The timeline for acquiring speech and language skills varies, making it difficult to determine if a child is a “late bloomer” or requires support. Developmental milestones serve as a helpful guide for tracking progress. Paying attention to these benchmarks allows for timely intervention if a delay is present, which can significantly influence long-term communication success.
Understanding the Difference Between Speech and Language Delays
When assessing a child’s communication, it is important to distinguish between a speech delay and a language delay. Speech involves the physical production of sounds and words, focusing on articulation, voice quality, and fluency. A child with a speech delay knows what they want to say but has difficulty making the sounds clearly. This delay relates to the mechanical process of using the lips, tongue, and vocal cords to form sounds correctly, often resulting in speech that is hard for others to understand.
Language is a broader system involving the comprehension and use of words and sentences to communicate meaning. This includes receptive language (understanding what is said) and expressive language (using words to share thoughts). A child with a language delay may pronounce words clearly but struggles to put them into meaningful sentences, follow directions, or build vocabulary. A child can experience a delay in speech, language, or both, making this distinction necessary for determining appropriate support.
Key Developmental Milestones to Monitor by Age
Monitoring communication milestones involves tracking both what a child understands (receptive language) and what they can express (expressive language). These benchmarks provide a general timetable for the natural progression of skills. The first three years of life are a period where the brain is highly receptive to learning the patterns of language.
6–12 Months
Communication shifts from simple cries to more recognizable patterns during this period. Receptive language develops as the infant moves their eyes toward sounds and responds to changes in tone. By 9 to 12 months, a baby should recognize the names of common objects and respond to their own name.
Expressive communication includes babbling with a variety of sounds, such as “mamama” or “bababa,” and using their voice to show pleasure or displeasure. Around 12 months, infants typically use simple gestures like waving “bye-bye” to communicate. They may also attempt to copy speech sounds and say a few words like “mama” or “dada.”
12–18 Months
A child’s understanding of language grows quickly during this period. Receptive skills include the ability to follow simple verbal requests, especially when paired with a gesture, such as “Come here.” By 18 months, children typically know the names of several body parts and common objects.
Expressive vocabulary should expand to around 10 to 15 words by 18 months. They should be able to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada,” even if the words are not perfectly clear. The child should also begin preferring vocalizations over gestures.
18–24 Months
This period marks significant growth in a child’s use of language. Receptive skills include the ability to follow simple commands and understand simple questions like “Where’s your shoe?” They can also point to objects or pictures when they are named.
Expressive vocabulary reaches about 50 or more words by 24 months. A child should begin to use simple two-word phrases, such as “more milk,” to communicate needs and thoughts. At least half of their speech should be understandable to immediate family or caregivers.
2–3 Years
By age two, communication becomes much more sophisticated. Receptive language by age three includes the ability to follow two-part instructions, such as “Go to your room and get your shoes.” They can also point to and name main body parts, clothing items, and food.
Expressive language involves using sentences of at least two to three words, and vocabulary expands significantly by age three. The child should be able to name actions, and their speech should be largely understandable to familiar listeners. They are also starting to use pronouns and plurals more consistently.
Specific Warning Signs and Next Steps for Professional Evaluation
While children develop at different rates, certain warning signs warrant professional attention. These indicators suggest a potential delay that requires evaluation.
Warning signs include:
- Absence of babbling by nine months.
- Lack of pointing or gesturing by 12 months.
- Not saying any single words by 16 months.
- Not using two-word phrases by 24 months.
- Regression of existing speech or social skills, such as losing previously possessed words or abilities.
- A preference for using gestures instead of vocalizations to communicate past 18 months.
- Speech that is difficult to understand even by close family members.
If these warning signs are present, the first step is consulting the child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician can perform an initial screening and check for underlying issues, such as a hearing problem. They can then provide a referral for a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess the child’s receptive and expressive language skills to determine the specific nature of the difficulty. Early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes because the brain is most adaptable during the early years.