Toddler Speech Development: Milestones by Age & When to Seek Help

Every child grows at their own pace, but when it comes to speech development, it helps to know what’s typical and when to ask for help. Whether you're wondering “When should my child start talking?” or you're curious about common speech milestones by age, this guide can help you understand what to expect and how to support your toddler's journey toward clear, confident communication.

Understanding Toddler Speech Development

Speech development involves more than just words. It includes how your toddler listens, makes sounds, understands language, and eventually puts words together to express themselves. While every child is different, most follow a general timeline of milestones.

Speech Milestones by Age

Here are some typical speech and language milestones from 12 months to 3 years:

12–18 Months

• Says basic words like “mama,” “dada,” or “uh-oh”

• Tries to copy sounds and simple words

• Points to familiar objects or people when named

18–24 Months

• Uses around 20–50 words

• Starts combining two words (“more juice,” “go car”)

• Understands simple instructions like “come here” or “give me the ball”

2–3 Years

• Vocabulary grows to 200+ words

• Can form short sentences (3–4 words)

• Is understood by familiar adults most of the time

• Begins asking questions like “What’s that?”

When Should My Child Start Talking?

It’s common for parents to worry if their child isn’t talking as early as their peers. While some children start speaking later and still develop normally, there are signs that may indicate the need for support:

• Your child isn't babbling by 12 months

• No words by 16–18 months

• Less than 50 words by age 2

• Difficulty following simple instructions

• Frustration or tantrums related to communication

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to talk with a pediatrician or a licensed speech therapist.

How a Speech Therapist Can Help

A pediatric speech therapist can evaluate your child's communication skills and help them strengthen areas like:

• Understanding and following directions

• Expressing needs and emotions clearly

• Building vocabulary and sentence structure

• Reducing frustration caused by communication barriers

Supporting Speech at Home

While therapy plays a vital role, your support at home matters too. You can help your toddler’s speech development by:

• Talking and reading together daily

• Naming objects and actions during play

• Singing songs with simple, repetitive lyrics

• Giving your child time to respond and make sounds

You’re Not Alone

At Ray of Sunshine Pediatric Therapy, we work closely with families across Fort Smith, the River Valley, and NWA to offer personalized, mobile speech therapy for toddlers. If you have questions about your child’s speech development or want to schedule a speech therapy evaluation, we’re here to help.