Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
If you’re waiting for your toddler to start talking, you’re not alone. When a child says their first words and start to reveal more of their personalities, it’s an exciting phase of parenting.
What does it mean if your 2-year-old seems to understand what you say, but they aren’t talking yet? What if your 2-year-old seems to be “stuck” on babbling and isn’t moving on to using words? In this article, we explain what it might mean when a toddler seems to understand everything but isn't using words. Learn three easy speech therapy exercises to try with your toddler at home, and find out when a speech evaluation might be needed.
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Screener for childrenUnderstanding your toddler’s language development
We tend to focus a lot on those magical “first words.” But language isn’t just the ability to talk. Language includes using gestures, understanding what words mean, and knowing how to put words together into sentences.
There are actually two kinds of language: receptive language and expressive language.
Receptive language is the ability to understand spoken words. As babies and toddlers develop their communication skills, they must first be able to understand language in order to use it appropriately.
Expressive language is the ability to express what we want, need, and think. It includes verbal communication (using words to speak) and nonverbal communication (like gesturing or pointing).
What if my 2-year-old isn’t talking, but they understand what I say?
Some children’s receptive language skills may be more advanced than their expressive language skills. In this case, you may notice that your toddler understands and can nonverbally respond to what people say to them. For example, your child may be able to follow directions like “Bring me your ball.” Or they can point to their feet when you say “Where do your shoes go?” However, they may not be using words to communicate clearly. If your 2-year-old seems to do well with understanding words, their receptive language skills are likely on track. If they seem to be a “late talker,” they may have an expressive language delay or a speech delay.
Why is my 2-year-old babbling and not talking?
What if your toddler is babbling instead of using words? A child who understands everything but is only babbling, not talking, might have a problem with their speech, instead of their language. Speech isn’t the same thing as language. Speech refers to how we say sounds and words. Speech includes:
How we make speech sounds using our mouth, lips, and tongue
Our voice, or how we use our vocal folds and breath to make sounds
Fluency, or the rhythm and smoothness of how we speak
Some 2-year-olds have trouble forming sounds into words. Your toddler may seem to be stuck in the babbling stage, not progressing on to words. They may actually be trying to talk, but they’re not able to make the correct speech sounds to say the words clearly. This may be due to a speech delay or a speech sound disorder.
Speech and language milestones for 2-year-olds
So how do you know if your child is on track? While all kids develop at their own pace, there are certain skills to watch for at certain times in your toddler’s development.
Toddlers usually say their first word at around the 12-month mark. Some children start talking a little earlier, and for others it’s a little later.
By age 18 months, most toddlers are starting to use words more purposefully and for a function. For example, they’ll start to ask for things using words. They may ask “Milk?” or “Ball?,” which shows they’re learning that words can be used for a purpose.
Let’s look at typical speech and language milestones for 2-year-olds.
Expressive language milestones for 2-year-olds:
Using two-word phrases by around 24 months old
Having a spoken vocabulary of around 50 words
Engaging in short conversations
Beginning to use pronouns, such as me, my, mine
Possibly trying to answer simple questions
Using words to ask for things or communicate their emotions
Speech milestones for 2-year-olds:
Here’s a general rule of thumb: By the age of 24 months, familiar listeners, such as family members, should be able to understand about 50% of your child’s speech. Your child should also be learning new speech sounds during this time. Between the ages of 2 and 3, kids can typically pronounce the /p/, /m/, /h/, /n/, /w/, and /b/ sounds. They should be close to mastering their /k/, /g/, /d/, /t/, and /ng/ sounds. They should also have started using the sounds /f/ and /y/. Your toddler may still say things like “nana” instead of “banana,” or “ca” for “cat,” dropping the final sound. However, these speech errors should go away by the time a child turns 3.
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Get startedHow do you know if your 2-year-old needs a speech evaluation?
If your toddler seems to understand you but isn’t talking much, or if they seem to be stuck on babbling, they may need extra help to develop their speech and language skills. These skills build on each other over time, much like a ladder. So when children don’t reach speech and language milestones at the typical time, they’re at risk of falling behind. The earlier you can start speech therapy, the more quickly your child will make progress.
Signs that your 2-year-old may need speech therapy
They aren’t using at least 50 words
They’re not combining their words into two-word phrases, such as “more milk” or “go up”
Their speech is hard to understand, even by family or people who see them often
They seem to be regressing in their development, or losing skills they once had
If your child seems to be a late talker, don’t panic! What’s important is that you talk with your pediatrician and a licensed speech therapist. The speech therapist can perform an evaluation to see if your child qualifies for speech therapy. Because the age of 2 is such a critical year of learning, it’s important to give kids the support they need to express themselves and fully communicate their wants and needs. While it may be tempting to take a “wait and see” approach, research shows that early intervention benefits kids both socially and in school as they grow older. Even kids who are nonverbal can benefit from speech therapy!
3 speech therapy exercises to try with your toddler at home
You can help your child learn to talk through simple, small changes in how you interact with them. Your speech therapist will give you strategies designed for your child, but these three exercises are often recommended. For each one, try modeling, or saying, a single word your child could say during the interaction. This could be something like “Puzzle!” or “Book?” As your child begins to use more words, you can start working on short phrases. So “Book?” might turn into “Book please!” Modeling is helpful, but don’t forget to back off as your toddler gains more independence! Simply pause and see if your child will say something on their own, without your help. This technique is called wait time. It can make all the difference in your child’s communication skills!
1 Create a situation where your child needs your help
Put toys or other desired items slightly out of your toddler’s reach. Or give them something in a container that they can’t open themselves. This creates a highly motivating situation that should prompt your child to ask for help. They might reach or point, or say words like “help” or “open.” Make sure to stay nearby to see what they do.
Quick demo: The "wait time" technique helps your child learn to talk
Watch here2 Hand over the wrong item
If your toddler asks for an item, or you can tell that they need something, give them the wrong item and see how they respond. So if your child asks for their toy train, give them their stuffed dog. You’ll likely get some confused looks! But this will prompt your child to continue trying to tell you what they need.
3 Create a situation where your child wants more
Try giving your child one piece of a toy at a time, like a puzzle. They have to communicate in some way for each piece, perhaps by saying a word like “more” or “again.” You can do this same exercise with pieces of a snack. But this is important: We don’t want to withhold anything from a child for too long. Give them a chance to communicate, but if they don’t, go ahead and give them the item. As you do it, model the word yourself. Check out this article for lots more easy language tips you can try as part of your toddler’s daily routine!
Find a speech therapist for your toddler
Expressable has speech-language pathologists across the country who are experienced in working with toddlers and their caregivers. Contact us today to find a speech therapist who's right for your family. By addressing speech or language delays early, it can reduce frustration for you and your child, and allow them to better learn and participate in the world around them.
Frequently asked questions about toddler speech and language development
1. What does it mean if my 2-year-old understands everything but isn't talking?
If your toddler understands what you say but isn't talking, they might have an expressive language delay. This can be concerning, but getting help early can make a big difference. Try our free screener to check your child's speech and language development.
2. How many words should a 2-year-old say?
At age 2, kids should be saying about 50 words, using two-word phrases, and having short conversations. If your child isn't doing these things, talking with a speech therapist can give you the support and guidance you need.
3. Why is my child still babbling instead of using words?
If your toddler is babbling but not talking, they might have a speech delay or a speech sound disorder. This could mean they have trouble turning sounds into words. To learn more about your child's speech development, take our free screener and think about talking to a speech therapist.
4. How can I tell if my toddler needs speech therapy?
Your toddler might need speech therapy if they aren't using at least 50 words by 24 months, aren't combining words into two-word phrases, or have trouble being understood by people who know them well. If you're worried about your child's speech, an evaluation with a licensed speech therapist can help you figure out the next steps.
5. Is a 2-year-old too young for speech therapy?
There is no minimum age for speech therapy! A toddler doesn’t need to sit still and pay attention for a whole therapy session. While speech therapy is fun and play-based, the key is parent involvement. Your speech therapist should focus on parent coaching, giving you the tools, knowledge, and techniques you need to help your child at home. Learn more about online speech therapy for toddlers in this article.
