"When will my baby say their first word?"
"Is my toddler talking enough?"
"Should I be worried?"
If you've found yourself googling these questions at 2 AM (we've all been there!), you're not alone. As a speech-language pathologist, these are some of the most common questions I hear from parents.
The good news? Most children follow predictable patterns when learning to communicate, and I'm here to help you understand what to expect—and when to seek support.
The Foundation: Birth to 12 Months
Language development begins long before that magical first "mama" or "dada."
0-3 months: Your little one is already learning! They're listening to the rhythm and melody of your voice, making eye contact, and starting to coo and make vowel sounds. Those sweet "ahhh" and "ohhh" sounds? That's language development in action.
3-6 months: Your baby will start babbling with consonant-vowel combinations like "ba-ba-ba" and "ma-ma-ma." They're also becoming social butterflies, smiling responsively and showing excitement when they see familiar faces.
6-9 months: Your child's babbling becomes more sophisticated, with varied intonation that sounds almost like they're having real conversations (spoiler alert: they think they are!). They'll start to understand simple words like "no" and their own name.
9-12 months: Your baby will likely understand simple commands like "wave bye-bye," and start using gestures intentionally—pointing, waving, and maybe even signing if you've been working on it.
12 Months: That Magical First Word
Around their first birthday, most babies say their first true word! This is such an exciting milestone that many parents remember exactly where they were when it happened. While "mama" and "dada" are classics, first words can be anything meaningful to your child—maybe "ball," "hi," or even "dog" (or "woof!").
At 12 months, expect to see:
- First real words (typically 1-3 words)
- Using gestures combined with vocalizations to communicate
- Showing understanding of familiar routines and simple games (think Peekaboo)
Remember, the clarity isn't what matters most right now—it's the intentional use of sounds to communicate specific meanings. Even if "water" sounds like "wa-wa," if they consistently use it when they want a drink, that counts!
18 Months: The Language Explosion Begins
By 18 months, your toddler should have a vocabulary of about 20-50 words. Now, don't panic if you can't understand all of them—toddler pronunciation is... creative. "Banana" might sound like "nana" and that's perfectly normal!
What should you see at 18 months?
- Using single words to communicate wants and needs
- Following simple one-step directions ("Get your shoes")
- Pointing to a few body parts when asked
- Imitating new words (even if they're not perfect)
- Understanding much more than they can say—receptive language is typically ahead of expressive language
2 Years: Putting It All Together
The second birthday often brings exciting language developments! Many children are using about 200 words at this time. Your 2-year-old should have a vocabulary of at least 50 words and be starting to combine them into simple 2-word phrases.
Expect to hear:
- Two-word combinations like "more juice," "big truck," or "mommy go"
- Simple questions like "What's that?" (prepare yourself—this phase is... thorough)
- Following two-step related commands ("Get your coat and put it on")
- Using pronouns, though they might mix up "me" and "you" (this is developmentally appropriate!)
- About 50% of their speech should be understandable to strangers
3 Years: The Chatterbox Emerges
Welcome to the age of endless questions and running commentary on life! Your 3-year-old should have a vocabulary of about 1,000 words and be speaking in 3-4 word sentences.
You'll notice:
- More complex sentence structures ("I want the red ball")
- Use of past tense, though expect some adorable mistakes ("I goed to the store")
- Asking "why" questions constantly (you've been warned!)
- Talking about things that happened in the past or will happen in the future
- About 75% of their speech should be understood by strangers
- Beginning to engage in simple conversations
4 Years: The Little Storyteller
Your 4-year-old is becoming quite the conversationalist! They should have a vocabulary of 1,500+ words and be speaking in complete sentences of 4-5 words or more.
Look for:
- Telling simple stories with a beginning, middle, and end
- Using more complex grammar, including conjunctions ("and," "but," "because")
- Asking lots of questions and engaging in back-and-forth conversations
- Nearly 100% intelligible speech to strangers
- Understanding and following 3-step instructions
- Using language for different purposes (asking, telling, protesting, requesting)
When Should I Be Concerned? Red Flags by Age
While every child develops at their own pace, there are some red flags that warrant a conversation with a speech-language pathologist:
12 Months Red Flags:
- No babbling or vocal play
- No response to their name
- No gestures (pointing, waving, reaching)
- Limited eye contact or social interaction
18 Months Red Flags:
- Fewer than 10 words
- No pointing or gesturing
- Not following simple one-step directions
- Significant loss of previously acquired skills
2 Years Red Flags:
- Fewer than 50 words
- No two-word combinations
- Difficulty following simple instructions
- Less than 25% of speech is understandable
- Not imitating words or sounds
3 Years Red Flags:
- Fewer than 200 words
- Not combining 3+ words
- Difficulty with simple questions
- Less than 50% of speech is understandable to strangers
- Frequent repetition of questions without seeming to understand answers
4 Years Red Flags:
- Limited vocabulary for age
- Difficulty with sentence structure
- Cannot tell a simple story
- Less than 75% intelligible to strangers
- Difficulty engaging in conversation
Trust Your Instincts (But Get Professional Guidance)
Here's the thing about milestones—they're guidelines, not rigid rules. Some children are early talkers, others take their time, and both can be perfectly normal. It can be hard for a parent to tell, is my child just a "late talker" or is this a more serious language delay?
Early intervention is incredibly effective, and speech-language pathologists are trained to distinguish between typical variations in development and areas that might benefit from support. We're not here to judge—we're here to help your child communicate their wonderful thoughts and ideas with the world.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you have concerns about your child's language development, or if you'd simply like a professional assessment for peace of mind, I'm here to help. At Talk Soon Speech Therapy LLC, we specialize in supporting children and families on their communication journey.
Every child deserves to have their voice heard, and sometimes they just need a little extra support to find it. Don't hesitate to reach out—early intervention can make all the difference, and there's no such thing as being "too cautious" when it comes to your child's development.
Contact Talk Soon Speech Therapy LLC today to schedule a consultation. Together, we'll help your little one find their voice and share their amazing ideas with the world!
Remember: This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional evaluation. If you have concerns about your child's development, please consult with a qualified speech-language pathologist.
Located in Southern Costa Rica, TalkSoon provides comprehensive speech-language pathology services for children and families in the Southern Zone. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your child's communication journey.