Your Child’s Early Language Development: Key Milestones, Signs of Delay, and Expert Tips
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Language development in early childhood lays the foundation for your child’s ability to express themselves, connect with others, and thrive in school and beyond. During the first few years of life, a child’s brain grows at an incredible rate–soaking up the sounds, words, and communication happening all around them.
As speech-language pathologists, we often hear parents ask, “Is my child’s development normal?” or “Should my toddler be talking more by now?” The truth is, every child develops at their own pace. However, there are key milestones to watch for. And when speech or language delays happen, early intervention speech therapy can make a big difference.
This guide is here to help you feel more confident and informed. You’ll learn how speech and language skills typically develop, what signs may point to a delay, and how speech therapy for toddlers works. Whether you'd like to help your toddler as they learn to talk, or you have concerns about their speech, you're in the right place.
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Screener for childrenWhat are speech and language milestones?
Speech and language milestones are the skills most children learn by certain ages as they grow and begin to communicate. These include everything from making sounds and babbling to saying full sentences and telling stories.
Most children follow a similar path in developing these skills. For example, babies typically babble before saying their first word. Toddlers learn words before forming sentences. But every child is unique, and there’s a wide range of what’s considered typical.
Below is a quick look at what language development often looks like by age. These milestones help parents and professionals track a child's development and know when extra support may be needed.
Speech and language milestones for infants (birth-12 months)
Begin communicating by crying, cooing, and babbling
Respond to voices, sounds, and facial expressions
Start using simple gestures like waving
Speech and language milestones for toddlers (1-3 years)
Learn new words quickly and begin combining them (“more juice”)
Follow simple directions and understand basic questions
Use gestures and simple phrases to express wants and needs
Speech and language milestones for preschoolers (3-5 years)
Speak in full sentences and answer simple “who,” “what,” and “where” questions
Tell short stories or describe their day
Speech is mostly understood by people outside the family
Speech and language milestones for school-age (5+ years)
Use more adult-like grammar and vocabulary
Understand stories and conversations, and follow directions
Ask and answer questions clearly and stay on topic
Want to dive deeper? To access complete milestone lists from birth to the teen years, visit our Learning Center homepage and scroll down to select your child’s age.
Understanding the causes of early language delays
Children learn to talk by hearing words and interacting with people. When they don’t get enough chances to talk, listen, and connect with others, their language can take longer to develop.
Sometimes, physical or brain-related conditions also play a role. These can include:
Hearing problems that make it hard to hear sounds clearly
Learning disabilities that affect how a child understands or uses language
Autism, which can impact social communication
Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome
Maturation delays, where the brain develops more slowly in areas needed for speech
Some children may also have neurological conditions, such as:
Aphasia, a rare issue that affects how the brain processes language
Childhood apraxia of speech, which makes it hard for the brain to send clear messages to the mouth to make sounds
Can pacifiers cause a speech delay?
Using a pacifier for a long time might affect how your child learns to talk. That’s because it can get in the way of babbling, making sounds, or talking back and forth with others. It may also affect how the mouth muscles grow, which are important for speech.
Pacifiers aren’t always a problem, especially for young babies. But experts suggest weaning your child off by age 1 to 3 to help with speech and overall health.
Does parent phone use affect kids’ language development?
Yes, kids notice when we’re on our phones. In studies, many children say they feel sad or lonely when their parents are distracted.
Research shows that when parents use phones often, they may respond less to their child’s needs. Babies and toddlers learn to talk through eye contact, back-and-forth play, and attention. If those moments are missed, it can slow down communication growth.
Being present with your child, even during the small moments, makes a big difference for language and connection.
Does a tongue tie cause speech delay?
Not usually. Most children with a tongue tie can still make all the sounds they need for speech. Even sounds like /l/, /r/, and /th/ can often be made without a full range of tongue movement.
There isn’t strong proof that tongue-tie surgery improves speech. In many cases, speech therapy alone helps a child learn to speak clearly.
Learn more about tongue ties and when to seek treatment here in this article.
Does screen time cause delayed development in toddlers?
Yes, research has shown that too much screen time can affect how toddlers learn to talk. For example, one study found:
Kids who watched screens for 2 hours a day at age 1 were 61% more likely to have language delays at age 2
With 2-4 hours of screen time a day, they were twice as likely to have delays
More than 4 hours? They were five times more likely to struggle with communication
Screens aren’t all bad, but balance is key. Talking, playing, and reading with your child every day helps their brain grow strong.
What are the signs my child might have a language delay?
Every child learns to talk at their own pace, but some kids may show signs that they’re at risk for a language delay. This is especially true for children between 18 and 30 months who aren’t using or understanding as many words as expected. Here are a few signs to look for:
Trouble understanding words: Before children start talking, they should understand what others say. For example, if you say “give me the ball,” they should know what to do. If your child doesn’t seem to understand simple directions or familiar words, this could be a red flag.
Rarely uses gestures: Pointing, waving, and raising their arms to be picked up are all early ways kids communicate. These gestures often come before talking. If your child rarely uses gestures, they may be at risk for delays.
Trouble using or combining new words: Toddlers should be picking up new words often, usually every month. Even if they’re not speaking in full sentences yet, you should notice steady progress. If new words aren’t coming, or they aren’t combining words (like “more juice”), it may be time to talk to a speech therapist.
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Get startedDo boys start talking later than girls?
Yes, boys often begin talking a little later than girls. Girls usually say their first words and sentences earlier and tend to have bigger vocabularies at first. Boys might also use gestures (like pointing) a bit later than girls.
But this difference is usually small (just a few months), and it still falls within the typical range for language development. The key is making sure your child keeps progressing, no matter their gender.
What is early intervention speech therapy, and why is it so important?
Speech and language skills develop in a step-by-step process. For example, children usually start by imitating sounds. Then they learn words, and later they begin putting words together into sentences. It’s rare for a child to skip any of these steps.
Some parents or caregivers may hope their child will “catch up” on their own. This is called a “wait and see” approach. However, the longer you wait to get help, the harder it can be for your child to catch up. Waiting too long can cause them to fall further behind during one of the most important learning stages in their life.
Early intervention refers to services that support a child’s development from birth to age 3 (and sometimes up to age 5). These services are personalized for each child and often involve working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or other specialists. Together, they help improve skills in key areas such as:
Communication – like gesturing, imitating, listening, understanding, and speaking
Thinking and learning – such as problem-solving and memory
Social and emotional development – like sharing, playing, understanding feelings, and making friends
Early intervention also helps prepare children for school and boosts their confidence. When children build strong speech and language skills early on, they are more likely to succeed in school. Learning new words and understanding what others say helps them recognize sounds in words. This is called phonemic awareness, and it plays a big role in learning to read. For example, children who can tell when words rhyme or start with the same sound have an easier time learning to read and write.
Strong communication skills also support a child’s self-esteem. Imagine not being able to tell someone what you need, or always being asked to repeat yourself. That would be frustrating for anyone. When children can clearly express themselves, they feel more confident and are more likely to join conversations, make friends, and feel included.
That’s why getting support early, before challenges grow, is so important.
How does speech therapy work for young children?
Speech therapy for toddlers and preschoolers, especially ages 2 to 4, looks a lot like play. That’s because play is one of the most natural and effective ways young kids learn to communicate. During sessions, a speech therapist will use fun, motivating toys, games, songs, and routines to help your child practice important skills like making sounds, using words, forming sentences, and understanding others.
Therapists don’t just pick random toys! They carefully choose activities based on your child’s interests and speech goals. Whether it’s blowing bubbles, stacking blocks, or pretending a banana is a phone, the goal is the same: to encourage communication in a way that feels fun and meaningful.
Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the process. Your speech therapist will coach you on how to use simple strategies at home, like during meals, story time, or bath time, to help your child continue learning throughout the day. The more speech and language practice your child gets in real-life moments, the more progress they’ll make.
Even in virtual sessions, speech therapists know how to keep kids engaged and help you make the most of therapy at home. With time, structure, and playful support, many children grow more confident and excited to use their voices.
How Expressable speech therapy works for toddlers and preschoolers
At Expressable, toddler speech therapy is designed to feel fun and natural. Here’s how we do it:
Step 1: A personalized evaluation
Every child begins with a speech therapy evaluation tailored to their age and needs. Your speech therapist will ask about your child’s speech and language development and any concerns you have.
They may use standardized tests like the Preschool Language Scale, which checks how well your child understands and uses language. These tests may involve:
Answering simple questions
Following directions
Naming pictures
Describing a scene or story
The therapist will also observe how your child interacts, speaks, and plays, and they’ll talk with you to get a complete picture. The results help create a custom care plan just for your child.
Inside the session: Watch a toddler having fun with online speech therapy!
Watch hereStep 2: Play-based, outcomes-focused therapy
We make toddler speech therapy fun by using toys, books, songs, and routines that your child already enjoys.
Therapy is built around your child’s interests. We follow their lead to boost motivation and learning.
Frequency matters: We often recommend two sessions per week to help kids make steady progress.
Caregiver coaching is key. You’ll be part of every session and learn strategies to use during your daily routines, such as how to model language, expand on what your child says, and create communication opportunities at home.
And yes–wiggly toddlers are welcome! Our speech therapists are trained in motivational learning and online therapy strategies to keep your child engaged, even through a screen. But again, your involvement is key. When you attend therapy with your child, you’ll learn techniques you can use at home, between sessions, for the best progress. You can learn more about our clinical approach to treating toddlers and preschoolers in our early language treatment guide.
Helping your child at home: The Expressable client portal
Your child’s communication growth doesn’t stop when the session ends. Our client portal gives you the tools to support their progress in between sessions, with less stress and more success!
Here’s what you’ll get access to:
Learning Paths: These step-by-step guides teach and reinforce key strategies like “waiting for your child to respond” and “offering choices to encourage speech.”
Demo videos: Watch a speech therapist in action as they model techniques like recasting, language modeling, and emphasizing sounds.
Home practice activities: Your therapist will assign simple, effective ideas to fit into your day! Examples could be making animal sounds during playtime, or offering your child choices at snacktime to encourage them to communicate.
Text messaging support: You can text your therapist to ask questions or get encouragement between sessions.
Here’s why it works:
Kids learn best through repetition and real-life practice.
The more you practice at home, the faster your child will make progress.
Everything is designed to make it easy to teach your child, even during your busiest days.
How can parents support their toddler’s language growth at home?
It’s hard to overestimate how important parents and caregivers are in a child’s early language development. After all, you’re the one spending the most time talking, playing, and interacting with your child.
We know life is busy! Between work, errands, and activities, there’s not always time to sit down for speech practice. But the great news is that you don’t need to set aside extra time. Language learning can happen during everyday activities like eating breakfast, getting dressed, or riding in the car. The key is to talk with your child during these moments. Ask questions, describe what you’re doing, and pause to let them respond. These small interactions add up and make a big difference over time.
Remember, just by having everyday conversations, you’re helping your child’s language grow. You don’t need fancy tools or special training—just your voice, your attention, and your love.
Here are a few easy and effective ways to support your child’s language development at home:
Narrate your life: Even if your child isn’t talking yet, talk about what you’re doing in the moment. For example, say “I’m cutting apples,” or “Let’s put on your shoes.” This may feel a little silly at first, but it helps children connect words to actions. Over time, they’ll start to understand and eventually use these words on their own.
Offer choices: Give your child choices throughout the day, like what snack to eat or which shirt to wear. Say something like, “Do you want the apple or the banana?” Show both items as you say the words. This not only helps your child learn new vocabulary, but also teaches them that using words is a way to get what they want. It builds confidence and independence!
Model sounds and speech: If your child isn’t speaking yet, model simple sounds. When a car drives by, you can say, “vroom vroom.” If you see a dog, say “ruff ruff.” If your child is already using single words, try modeling short phrases that are just one word longer. For example, if they say “juice,” you could respond with “juice please” or “more juice.”
Read regularly: Reading with your child is one of the best ways to build their vocabulary and language skills. Start early! Even babies enjoy hearing your voice and looking at pictures. As they grow, ask them to point to objects in the pictures or answer simple questions about the story. With older kids, ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why was the character sad?”
Play together: Playtime is a powerful tool for language learning. When you play with your child, you take turns, share attention, and solve problems together just like in real conversations. For example, rolling a ball back and forth teaches turn-taking. Building with blocks helps them understand cause and effect (“Uh-oh! It fell down!”). Plus, playing together is fun and strengthens your bond.
Sing songs: Simple songs like “The Wheels on the Bus” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are great for language learning. Songs are fun, easy to remember, and help children learn new words and rhythms of speech. Try singing during daily routines like bath time or car rides. And check out this quick demo video for an example of how songs can help your toddler learn to talk.
Use communication temptations: Communication temptations are ways to gently encourage your child to speak. For example, put a favorite toy or snack just out of reach. Wait a few seconds to see if they try to ask for it with words, gestures, or sounds. You can also hold up two options and wait for them to point or speak. The goal is not to frustrate them, but to give them a reason to communicate and problem-solve. When they realize that using words helps them get what they want, they’ll be more motivated to talk.
Get started with Expressable
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech and language development, contact Expressable today. Get matched with a speech therapist who's experienced in your child's area of need and available when you are. Start our simple sign-up here!
