| Age Range | Typical Language Milestones |
|---|---|
| 0–6 months | – Responds to sounds with coos and gurgles – Turns head toward voices – Cries differently for different needs |
| 6–12 months | – Babbles with a variety of sounds (e.g., “ba-ba”, “da-da”) – Understands simple words like “no” or their name – Tries to imitate speech sounds |
| 2–2.5 years | – Uses 2–3 word phrases (“more juice”, “mummy go work”) – Has a vocabulary of 50–200+ words – Follows simple instructions (“get your shoes”) |
| 3 years | – Uses 3–4 word sentences – Asks lots of questions – Strangers can understand much of what they say – Understands simple “who,” “what,” “where” questions |
| 4 years | – Uses full sentences with correct grammar much of the time – Tells simple stories – Understands time concepts (e.g., yesterday, tomorrow) – Follows multi-step instructions |
Every child is wonderfully unique and develops at their own pace. It’s normal for there to be small differences in how and when children reach their milestones. However, we also have well-researched developmental norms—and when a child is significantly behind, or not progressing, it’s a signal to seek support.
🌱 Early intervention can make a remarkable difference, especially in the early years when the brain is most adaptable.
🚩 Watch Out For:
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A baby who isn’t babbling by 9–10 months
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A toddler who isn’t using words by 18 months
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A 2.5-year-old who isn’t combining words
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A 3–4-year-old whose speech is hard to understand by unfamiliar people
If you’re concerned your child may be outside of these expected ranges, don’t wait and see. Reach out to a speech therapist to discuss your concerns—we’re here to help.