5 Speech Milestones Every Parent Should Know

One of the questions I get asked most often, at work, at parties, pretty much everywhere, is some version of "is this normal?" So I thought I'd put together a simple guide to five big speech and language milestones, and what to watch for at each stage. Every kid develops at their own pace, but these are good general markers to keep in the back of your mind.

By 12 months

Most babies are babbling with a mix of sounds ("bababa," "dadada"), responding to their name, and may have said a first word or two. They should also be using gestures like waving or pointing.

By 18 months

Expect a vocabulary of around 10–20 words, along with a good amount of pointing and gesturing to communicate wants and needs. Understanding is usually well ahead of talking at this age, that's completely normal.

By 2 years

This is often when language really takes off. Look for 50+ words and the start of two-word combinations like "more juice" or "mommy go." Roughly half of what your toddler says should be understandable to unfamiliar listeners.

By 3 years

Kids this age are usually forming short sentences, asking simple questions, and can be understood most of the time, even by people outside the family. They should also be able to follow two-step directions.

By 4–5 years

Sentences get longer and more grammatically complex, storytelling begins to take shape, and speech should be clear enough that unfamiliar adults understand it almost all the time.

What if your child isn't hitting these?

Missing one milestone by a little isn't usually cause for alarm. Kids are all over the map. But if you're noticing a pattern, or your gut is telling you something feels off, trust that instinct. An evaluation doesn't commit you to anything; it just gives you information. And with speech and language, earlier support tends to make a real difference.

If you have questions about where your child is at, I'm always happy to chat.