The development of a child’s language is one of the most anticipated and closely watched milestones for parents. As a toddler approaches the two-year mark, it is completely natural for caregivers to wonder if their child is speaking enough words or keeping pace with their peers. Language acquisition is a highly variable process, meaning some children will speak in full sentences while others are still mastering single words at the same age. Despite this wide range of normal development, a set of general guidelines exists to help track a child’s progress toward effective communication. These benchmarks provide a framework for understanding whether a child’s verbal skills are developing within a typical timeframe.
Expected Verbal Milestones at 23 Months
The primary question for many parents of a 23-month-old revolves around the sheer volume of words their child can produce. By the time a child reaches their second birthday, the widely accepted minimum expectation for expressive vocabulary is approximately 50 distinct words. This is often described as the benchmark for a child not to be considered a “late talker.”
However, many children at 23 months will use far more, often having a vocabulary that is closer to 100 words or even higher. This period often marks the beginning of a significant vocabulary “explosion” where new words are acquired rapidly. Beyond the number of single words, a child this age is also expected to be combining two words together consistently. These simple phrases, such as “more juice,” “daddy gone,” or “my ball,” demonstrate an understanding of basic syntax and the ability to express a complete thought or request.
The ability to use these two-word combinations is a more significant indicator of language progression than simply having a large vocabulary of isolated words. Children at this age are also frequently using question inflection for simple requests, such as asking “My ball?” when looking for a toy. While the pronunciation may still be quite unclear, a parent should be able to understand their toddler’s speech about half the time.
Beyond Counting Words: Understanding Communication Skills
Focusing only on the number of spoken words can overshadow other important aspects of communication development. For a toddler, a word does not need to be perfectly pronounced to count toward their total vocabulary. Any sound or word approximation that is used consistently and intentionally to refer to a specific person, object, or action is considered a word.
For example, a child saying “ba” every time they want a bottle or “guck” for a truck counts as a word, provided the child uses it reliably in the correct context. Non-speech sounds also count, including animal noises like “moo” for a cow or sound effects like “beep beep” for a car. Sign language, such as using the sign for “more” or “all done,” is also recognized as a form of expressive language that should be included in the total word count.
Receptive language, which is the ability to understand spoken language, is arguably more important than expressive language at this stage. A 23-month-old should be able to understand significantly more words than they can say, often understanding hundreds of words. They should be able to follow simple, one-step directions, such as “Give the ball to Daddy” or “Find your shoe.” The child’s use of non-verbal communication, including pointing to request an item, waving goodbye, or using eye contact to engage a parent, is also a foundational measure of their overall communication competence.
When to Seek Professional Guidance for Speech Development
While language acquisition is highly individualized, specific warning signs indicate a need for professional evaluation. One clear indicator is the failure to meet the 50-word minimum vocabulary or the absence of two-word combinations by the time the child reaches 24 months. A child who communicates primarily through crying, yelling, or pulling a parent’s hand, rather than attempting to use words or gestures, may also be experiencing a delay.
Parents should also be concerned if their 23-month-old cannot follow simple directions or does not understand common action words like “jump” or “sit.” A lack of imitation, such as not attempting to copy the sounds or words of others, is another sign that warrants attention. Any loss of previously learned words or social skills is a serious warning sign and should prompt an immediate consultation with a healthcare provider.
The first step when a parent has concerns is to schedule an appointment with the child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician can perform an initial developmental screening and will likely provide a referral to an early intervention program or a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Early intervention describes a system of services designed to help children who have developmental delays.
The SLP will conduct a thorough evaluation, looking at both the child’s expressive language and their receptive language skills. Early identification of a speech or language delay is important because the first three years of life are a sensitive period for acquiring speech and language skills. Addressing any concerns promptly can significantly improve a child’s long-term communication and literacy outcomes.