As a mom or dad, it is only natural that you compare your child’s growth to the rest of them — particularly language and speech. You find yourself asking questions to yourself such as:
“Is it usual that my toddler still doesn’t talk yet?” or “Is it okay if my child utters words incorrectly?”
This blog will take you through what is typical in speech development, what to watch out for, and when to refer to a speech-language therapist.
What’s Typical Speech Development?
All children grow at their own . But speech and language growth follows a broad general pattern that pediatricians and speech therapists use to determine typical vs delayed development.
Some of the things you should look for are as follows:
By 12 months:
- Responds to name
- Comprehends one word such as no or bye-bye
- Makes cooing sounds (e.g., ba-ba,da-da)
- Attempts to copy sounds
- Speaks a few words such as “mama” or “dada”
By 18 months:
- Has a vocabulary of around 10–20 words
- Knows more than he/she can speak
- Points to people or objects when spoken about
- Uses gestures such as pointing or waving
By 2 years:
- Uses 2-word sentences (e.g., “more juice” or “go car”)
- Has a vocabulary of 50 words and more
- Can follow simple commands such as “come here”
- Speech is about 50% comprehensible to familiar listeners
At 3 years old:
- Speaks in 3-4-word sentences
- Asks basic questions (e.g., What is that?)
- Follows two-step commands (e.g., “Pick up the toy and put it in the box”)
At 4 years old:
- Speech is typically comprehensible to strangers
- Speaks over 4-word sentences
- Narrates brief stories or describes routine activities
- Understands some concepts of color and shape
Red Flags in Speech and Language Development
Although all children grow at their own rate, there are some indicators that will be a red flag for a speech or language delay that should not be overlooked.
Under 12 months:
- No babbling by 7 months
- Does not respond to sound
- Does not interact with others or make eye contact
At 18 months:
- Uses less than 10 words
- Does not point to objects or respond to simple commands
- Seldom attempts to repeat words or sounds
At 2 years:
- Never uses two words together
- Speech is largely unintelligible
- Does not comply with simple directions
- Appears frustrated when attempting to communicate
At 3 years:
- Speech is difficult even for close relatives to recognize
- Does not use simple sentence or questions
- Lags behind in playing or communicating with others
At 4 years and older:
- Continuously misarticulate a high number of sounds
- Refuses to communicate or becomes frustrated
- Unable to recount simple stories
Speech Delay vs. Language Delay: What’s the Difference?
Speech is the way that we make sounds and words (articulation, voice, fluency).
Language is having the capability to understand and make use of words to convey ideas.
For instance:
A child who says “ca” for “cat” could have a speech delay.
A child who lacks knowledge of the word “cat” has a language delay.
Delayed Speech Causes
Delayed speech and language can be caused by a number of reasons, which include:
- Impairment of hearing: A child who cannot hear properly will be behind in speaking.
- Oral-motor skill problems: Trouble with the groups of muscles involved in speaking (e.g., tongue or jaw coordination).
- Developmental conditions: Like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, or speech apraxia.
- Environmental issues: Too little exposure to conversation, reading, or social interaction.
Sometimes, there simply isn’t a obvious cause — but speedy action can make a huge difference.
When to Refer a Speech Therapist
You may want to refer to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) if:
- Your child is lacking a few speech milestones
- You notice a language or speech regression
- Your Child has trouble with pronunciation after 3 years of age
- Your child becomes furious or refuses to speak
A comprehensive evaluation and an individual therapy plan may be provided by an SLP if needed.
What Can Parents Do at Home?
Whether your child is getting along just fine or needs a little extra attention, these are some strategies to help with speech development at home:
- Talk Frequently and Clearly
Narrate your day. Describe what you’re doing and name objects around you. This builds vocabulary.
- Read Together Daily
Picture books develop listening and understanding. Have your child turn pages, point to things, and echo words.
- Play With Purpose
Imitation play, singing a song, and playing with noisy toys contribute to developing language in a spontaneous manner.
- Ask and Answer Questions
Even though your child can’t respond yet, exclaiming “What’s that?” or “Where is the dog?” teaches understanding.
- Model, Don’t Correct
When your child utters, “wawa,” model back: “Yes, water!” and not “No, say water.”
Development of speech varies from child to child, but knowing what’s typical — and what is not — will make you a more assertive parent. If ever in doubt, it’s okay to have an evaluation performed. A head start on speech therapy is a lifesaver.
Remember, you are not the only one. Other parents feel the same way you do — and with the right information and support, you can assist your child to be successful.
Need Guidance? SPARKLES are Here to Help!
We have licensed pediatric speech-language pathologists on staff to help you if you have concerns about your child’s speech. We provide caring assessments and personally tailored therapy sessions to promote your child’s development.
Call SPARKLES today to arrange an assessment