“Shouldn’t he be saying more words by now?” “Her friends are speaking in sentences, but she isn’t.”
As a parent, it’s natural to watch your child’s development closely and wonder if they are on the right track. One of the biggest areas of concern is often speech and language. While every child develops at their own unique pace, there are general milestones that can serve as a helpful guide.
At Hear & Speak Kollam, we want to empower parents with the knowledge to support their child’s communication journey. Here is a simple breakdown of what you can typically expect at different ages.
Understanding the Milestones
It’s helpful to think about two types of language:
- Receptive Language: What your child understands.
- Expressive Language: What your child says.
Often, a child’s receptive skills are far ahead of their expressive ones!
By 1 Year (12 Months)
At this age, your baby is learning to connect sounds with meanings.
- Understands: Responds to their own name, looks when you point, recognizes words for common items (e.g., “cup,” “ball”), and follows simple one-step commands like “Come here.”
- Says: Babbles with different sounds (“bababa,” “dadada”), uses gestures like waving “bye-bye,” and may say their first one or two words, like “mama” or “dada.”
By 2 Years (24 Months)
This is a period of rapid vocabulary growth.
- Understands: Can point to body parts when named, follows simple two-step instructions (e.g., “Get your shoes and bring them to me”), and understands simple questions.
- Says: Has a vocabulary of 50+ words, starts putting two words together to form simple phrases (“more milk,” “mummy go”), and asks “What’s that?” questions. Their speech is about 50% understandable to strangers.
By 3 Years (36 Months)
Your toddler is now becoming a real conversationalist!
- Understands: Understands concepts like “in,” “on,” and “under,” and can follow more complex instructions.
- Says: Uses three- to four-word sentences, can state their first name and age, and asks “why?” Their speech is about 75% understandable to strangers.
When Should You Be Concerned?
While variation is normal, there are a few red flags that suggest it’s a good idea to seek a professional opinion. Consider a consultation with a Speech-Language Pathologist if your child:
- By 12-15 months: Is not babbling or using gestures like pointing.
- By 18 months: Is not saying any words.
- By 24 months: Is not using two-word phrases.
- By 3 years: Is not using sentences and is very difficult for family to understand.
- Seems to have lost speech or social skills they once had.
The Power of Early Intervention
If you have concerns, the most important thing to do is act early. Waiting to “see what happens” can mean missing a critical window for development. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can assess your child’s skills through play-based activities and determine if therapy is needed.
Early intervention helps children develop the communication skills they need to learn, play, and build relationships, giving them the best possible start in life.
Your Partners in Communication in Kollam
Every word, babble, and gesture is a step on your child’s communication journey. If you feel that journey needs a little extra guidance, we are here to help.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Hear & Speak in Kollam to schedule a speech and language evaluation for your child. A simple check-up can provide peace of mind and a clear path forward.