As parents, we spend a lot of time watching and waiting — especially when it comes to milestones. First steps, first words, first everything. But what happens when those first words take longer than expected? You might find yourself wondering, “Is this normal?” or “Is it just a phase?”
The truth is: there’s a wide range of what’s considered “normal” for speech development — but there are also signs that your child might benefit from a little extra support. The earlier you recognize those signs, the better.
Let’s break it down together.
What’s typical for toddler speech?
By 12 months, most children:
- Babble with intent (like “ba-ba” for bottle)
- Understand simple words like “no” or their name
- Use gestures like waving or pointing
By 18 months, many children:
- Say 10–20 words
- Can identify familiar people or objects by name
- Imitate sounds and words they hear
By 2 years, a child typically:
- Has a vocabulary of 50+ words
- Begins to combine two words (“more milk,” “go car”)
- Can follow simple directions
It’s okay if your child doesn’t hit these exactly on schedule — but if they’re significantly behind, it’s worth checking in.
When to take action
Here are some signs that it might be more than just a phase:
- Your child isn’t babbling or using gestures by 12 months
- They say fewer than 10 words by 18 months
- They aren’t combining words by age 2
- They seem frustrated when trying to communicate
- They rarely imitate sounds or words
If any of these sound familiar, don’t panic — but do reach out. Your pediatrician can help you connect with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation.
What next?
The earlier a child gets help, the more progress they can make during their brain’s most flexible years. We recommend the following:
- Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns
- Learn more about speech therapy with these external resources
- Try at-home tools like our books
You’ve got this. And we’re here to help.
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