Speech & Language Milestones:
What’s Typical and When to Ask for Help
As a parent, it’s natural to wonder whether your child’s communication skills are developing as they should. While all children develop at their own pace, there are key milestones most kids reach within certain age ranges. Knowing what to expect—and when to seek support—can make a big difference in your child’s communication growth.
In this post, we’ll break down speech and language milestones from birth to age 5+, highlight red flags to watch for, and provide reliable resources where you can learn more.
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Speech vs. Language: What’s the Difference?
• Speech refers to how we produce sounds and words using our voice, tongue, lips, and breath (e.g., articulation, fluency, and voice).
• Language is how we understand and use words to communicate ideas (e.g., vocabulary, grammar, storytelling).
A child can have delays in one or both areas, and support from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. You can read more about the differences between speech and language in this post.
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Milestones by Age
0–12 Months
• Turns toward sounds and responds to name
• Coos and babbles (e.g., “ba,” “goo”)
• Laughs, squeals, and makes sounds to show emotions
• Understands common words like “no,” “bye-bye”
Search terms to learn more: receptive language, early vocalizations, joint attention, babbling
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12–18 Months
• Says 5–10 words (by 15 months)
• Points to request or show
• Understands simple instructions (“Come here”)
• Uses gestures (waving, pointing) with sounds
Search terms to learn more : expressive language, gestures, object permanence, first words
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18–24 Months
• Says 50+ words by 24 months
• Begins to combine two words (“more milk,” “go car”)
• Follows simple two-step directions (“Get the ball and bring it here”)
• Labels common objects or pictures in books
Search terms to learn more: language explosion, two-word combinations, toddler vocabulary
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2–3 Years
• Uses 2–3 word sentences
• Asks simple questions (“Where’s mommy?”)
• Understands basic concepts (big/little, in/on)
• Speech is about 50–75% understandable by age 3
Search terms to learn more: speech intelligibility, early grammar, wh-questions, language comprehension
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3–4 Years
• Speaks in full sentences with more detail
• Uses pronouns (he, she, we) correctly
• Tells short stories or sequences of events
• Speech is mostly understandable to unfamiliar listeners
Search terms to learn more: narrative skills, pronoun use, sentence structure, preschool language
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4–5 Years
• Uses more complex sentences with correct grammar
• Understands and uses time concepts (yesterday, soon, later)
• Can describe things, answer “why” and “how” questions
• Retells a story with a beginning, middle, and end
Search terms to learn more: story retell, sequencing, grammar development, temporal concepts
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5 Years and Beyond
• Speech is clear and easy to understand
• Can have conversations, explain thoughts, and reason verbally
• Understands jokes and non-literal language (like sarcasm)
• Uses language to solve problems and express emotions
Search terms to learn more: pragmatic language, inferencing, figurative language, social communication
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When to Contact a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to seek help. Here are signs your child might benefit from an evaluation:
• Not meeting milestones for their age
• Limited vocabulary or difficulty combining words
• Frustration when trying to communicate
• Trouble being understood by others
• Difficulty following directions
• Regression or loss of previously used language skills
Early intervention is key—research shows that support from an SLP during early years can lead to better long-term outcomes.
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Where to Learn More
Here are some trusted sources you can explore for more information:
• ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) – Offers detailed developmental charts and parent-friendly info
• CDC Developmental Milestones – Interactive milestone checklists by age
• Zero to Three – Great for infant and toddler development tips
• Speech and Language Kids – Helpful articles, activities, and explanations for parents
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Final Thoughts
Watching your child grow into a confident communicator is one of parenting’s greatest joys. If you ever have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, don’t wait—reaching out for a screening or consultation with an SLP is a positive step.
Have questions? We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our pediatric speech therapy services.