Toddler Speech Development: What to Expect at 2 and 3 Years
Toddler speech development changes rapidly between ages 1 and 3. During this time, children learn many new sounds and words. Their speech becomes clearer and easier to understand.
Between 1 and 2 years, most toddlers greatly increase the number of words they can say. By age 2, about half of their speech should be understood. By age 3, most of their speech should be understood by family and familiar adults.
What Can Most Toddlers Say?
By age 2, toddlers typically use a range of early speech sounds. These include:
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p, b, m
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t, d, n
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h, w
By age 3, children usually produce additional sounds such as:
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k, g
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f, s
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ng
Speech clarity improves as children learn these sounds and combine them into longer sentences.
What Do Toddlers Still Find Difficult?
It is normal for toddlers to make speech errors. Some sounds are harder to say than others. Words with complex sound patterns can be especially challenging.
Common examples include:
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Saying “tat” instead of “cat”
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Saying “pam” instead of “pram”
Children may also be harder to understand when they use longer sentences. This is because coordinating many sounds takes practice.
Occasional errors are part of typical toddler speech development.
How Parents Can Support Toddler Speech Development
Parents play an important role in helping children learn to speak clearly.
You can support development by modelling correct pronunciation. If your child says a word incorrectly, repeat it back correctly without forcing them to copy you.
For example:
Child: “Tat.”
Parent: “Yes, that’s a cat!”
This approach reinforces the correct form in a positive way.
When to Seek Advice from a Speech Pathologist
Some signs that professional support may be helpful include:
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Speech that is very difficult to understand
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Frequent use of gestures or grunts instead of words
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Limited vocabulary for age
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Frustration when trying to communicate
If you are concerned about your child’s communication, early intervention can make a significant difference.
👉 Learn more about our toddler speech therapy services at Perth Speech Therapy or contact our team for guidance.
Hearing is also important for speech development. If concerns arise, a hearing check with an audiologist is recommended.
If Your Child Does Not Meet Speech Milestones
Every child develops at their own pace. However, if your child sounds very different from expected milestones — or if a three-year-old cannot be understood by unfamiliar adults — assessment may be needed.
A speech pathologist is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat communication difficulties in children. Services may be provided in clinics, schools, hospitals, or community settings.
Your GP or child health nurse can also provide referrals if needed.
Final Thoughts
Toddler speech development involves rapid growth, practice, and patience. Many speech errors are normal in the early years, but persistent difficulties should not be ignored.
If you are unsure whether your child’s speech is developing as expected, professional advice can provide reassurance and clear next steps.