The journey toward spoken language is highly variable, and a child’s progress can differ significantly from their peers. While some toddlers may be stringing together multiple words, others communicate primarily through gestures and sounds, which is a normal part of the process. Understanding the specific communication skills expected at this age can provide reassurance and a clearer picture of your child’s individual progress.
Typical Speech at 14 Months
At 14 months, a toddler’s language abilities focus more on understanding what is said to them (receptive language) than on producing spoken words. Children typically understand around 50 words, even if they cannot say them yet. They demonstrate this comprehension by looking at a familiar object after you name it, or by pointing to a familiar person when asked where they are.
A 14-month-old should also be able to follow simple, one-step commands when paired with a gesture, such as “Give me” when you hold out your hand. The ability to follow simple instructions shows a developing connection between the spoken word and an action. This foundational understanding is a stronger indicator of language progress than the number of words they can speak.
In terms of expressive language, a toddler at this age is expected to be saying one or two words besides “mama” and “dada.” These first words are often approximations, like “ba” for ball, but they are used consistently and meaningfully to represent a person, object, or action. Some children may have a vocabulary of up to five to ten recognizable words by 15 months, but this range is wide.
Non-verbal communication should be well-established at 14 months. This includes using gestures like shaking their head “no,” waving “bye-bye,” and pointing to things they want. Pointing is a particularly important social communication skill, as it demonstrates an intent to share attention with another person. Many toddlers also use consistent jargon—long strings of babbling that include the sounds and inflections of real speech.
How Language Progresses After 14 Months
The months following 14 months bring a significant shift in the transition from understanding to speaking. Between 18 and 24 months, children typically experience a vocabulary explosion, where the rate of new word acquisition accelerates significantly. By the age of two years, a child’s vocabulary often expands to 50 or more single words, and they begin naming various objects in books.
As their word count grows, the next major milestone is the emergence of two-word phrases, usually beginning around 18 to 24 months. These phrases are simple combinations like “more milk” or “big truck,” demonstrating an understanding of basic sentence structure. At this stage, children also start to follow more complex, two-step directions, such as “Get your shoes and bring them to me.”
Their speech clarity will remain limited, but they will use a wider variety of consonant sounds (e.g., p, b, t, d, m, n, and w). They also start using simple questions, like “What’s that?” or “Where?” to gather information. This period focuses on combining words and ideas, moving beyond single-word labels to expressing simple thoughts and needs.
Ways to Encourage Speech Development
Parents can create a language-rich environment that encourages communication skills. One effective strategy is narrating daily routines, often called parallel talk, which involves describing what you or your child is doing as it happens. For example, saying, “I am stirring the soup now” helps connect actions with specific vocabulary.
Responding enthusiastically to your child’s attempts at communication, whether a sound, gesture, or word approximation, reinforces their efforts. When a child says a word, a technique called expansion involves repeating the word back correctly and adding one or two more words. If your toddler says “Car,” you can respond, “Yes, that’s a big car” to model a slightly more complex phrase.
Reading aloud every day is a powerful tool, exposing the child to new words and the rhythm of language. Use interactive books and point to pictures, encouraging them to repeat or label familiar items. Giving your child choices, such as asking, “Do you want a ball or a block?” and pausing for a response, creates genuine opportunities for them to use their developing language skills.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
While development varies, certain signs may suggest a need for a professional evaluation from a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist. One indicator is the absence of consistent back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing or waving “bye-bye” by 12 months. If a 14-month-old does not understand simple directions or respond to their name, this warrants further discussion with a healthcare provider.
Another red flag is a lack of meaningful, spontaneous single words by 15 months, or a limited variety of sounds in their babbling. A child who communicates only through crying or incoherent utterances, without attempting to use words or gestures, should also be evaluated. Parents should pay close attention if a child loses any language skills they previously had, as regression is always a reason to seek immediate intervention.
Early intervention is highly beneficial because the brain is most adaptable during these early years. If you have persistent concerns, sharing your observations with a medical professional is the best way to determine if a full assessment is necessary. Trusting your parental intuition and acting proactively is the most supportive step you can take for your child’s communication journey.