Is My Child’s Speech Normal? Speech & Language Milestones From 0–36 Months

As a parent, one of the most common questions is: “Is my child’s speech developing normally?” From birth through age three, children go through an extraordinary journey! Moving from cries and coos to meaningful words and early sentences. Knowing typical milestones helps you understand when growth is expected and when it might be time to talk to a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

Below is a clear, age-by-age guide to speech & language development based on evidence-informed milestones from trusted sources like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the NIH/NIDCD.

Speech and Language Development: Birth to 12 Months

From the very beginning, babies are building the foundation for communication.

0–3 months
During the first few months of life, babies respond to sound. They may quiet when they hear a familiar voice and begin cooing with vowel-like sounds. Social smiling also emerges during this stage. Even though there are no real words yet, your baby is learning that communication is back-and-forth.

4–6 months
Babbling begins. You may hear sounds like “ba,” “da,” or “ma.” Babies start experimenting with pitch and volume and may respond when their name is called. This stage is critical because babbling lays the groundwork for later speech sound development.

7–12 months
Babbling becomes more complex and may sound like real conversation, even though it isn’t. Around this time, many babies begin to understand simple words such as “no,” “bye-bye,” or their own name. By their first birthday, many children say their first meaningful word.

If a baby is not babbling by 9–10 months or does not respond to sound, it is worth discussing with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.

Speech and Language Development: 12–24 Months

This is when language growth becomes much more noticeable.

12–18 months
Many toddlers say their first words during this stage. These may include words like “mama,” “ball,” or “dog.” Children also use gestures such as pointing, waving, or reaching to communicate. Even if vocabulary is small, understanding language (receptive language) is typically growing quickly.

18–24 months
By 24 months, most toddlers use at least 50 words, the average being 250-300. Many begin combining two words together, such as “more milk” or “mommy go.” They can follow simple directions like “get your shoes” and identify familiar objects when named.

If your 2-year-old has fewer than 20 words, is not attempting to imitate words, or is not beginning to combine words by 30 months, this may indicate a late talker or a language delay.

Speech and Language Development: 24–36 Months

Between ages two and three, language becomes more complex.

24–30 months
Vocabulary continues to expand rapidly. Many children have 100 or more words during this stage and are combining words consistently. They begin asking simple questions and using short phrases.

30–36 months
By age three, children are typically using three- to four-word sentences. They can talk about familiar routines, answer simple questions, and be understood by familiar adults most of the time. While some speech sound errors are still normal, their speech should be increasingly clear.

If a 3-year-old is difficult to understand, is not speaking in short sentences, or struggles to follow simple directions, a speech and language evaluation may be helpful.

What Is Considered Normal Speech Development?

It is important to remember that children develop at different rates. Some children are naturally quieter, while others talk early and often. However, speech and language development generally follows a predictable pattern:

Sounds and babbling
First words
Word combinations
Short sentences

Receptive language (what your child understands) usually develops before expressive language (what they say). If a child understands well but is not speaking much, they may be considered a late talker. Some late talkers catch up on their own, while others benefit from early speech therapy.

When Should You Consider a Speech Evaluation?

You may want to seek a pediatric speech evaluation if your child:

Is not babbling by 9–10 months
Has no words by 16–18 months
Has fewer than 50 words by 24 months
Is not combining words by 30 months
Is difficult to understand at age 3
Shows frustration due to communication difficulties
Loses previously learned words

Early intervention is powerful. Research shows that the first three years of life are a critical period for brain development, and early speech therapy can strengthen communication pathways and support long-term academic and social success.

How Parents Can Support Speech Development at Home

If you are wondering how to support your child’s speech and language development, here are simple, research-based strategies:

• Talk throughout daily routines. Narrate what you are doing in simple language.

• Expand on your child’s words. If they say “car,” you can say, “Yes, big blue car.”

• Follow your child’s lead during play to encourage natural conversation.

• Read daily, even for just a few minutes.

• Limit background noise to increase focused interaction.

Responsive interaction and consistent language exposure are key factors in healthy speech and language development.

If you are asking yourself, “Is my child’s speech normal?” trust that instinct. Monitoring developmental milestones from 0–36 months can provide reassurance or signal when it may be time to seek guidance. A speech evaluation does not automatically mean therapy will be needed, but it can provide clarity and peace of mind.

If you are concerned about your toddler’s speech delay, late talking, or overall language development, a pediatric speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s strengths and determine the next best step.

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Communication Milestones. Available at: www.asha.org

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Speech and Language Developmental Milestones. Available at: www.nidcd.nih.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Developmental Milestones. Available at: www.cdc.gov
Paul, R., & Norbury, C. (2012). Language Disorders from Infancy Through Adolescence. Elsevier.
Zimmerman, I., Steiner, V., & Pond, R. Preschool Language Scale, Fifth Edition (PLS-5). Pearson.