Navigating Early Speech & Language Milestones: What to expect between age 1 and 2
Parents often wonder if their child’s skills are developing typically. Between gross motor skills, fine motor skills, speech-language skills, social-emotional functioning, and overall growth, there’s a lot to keep track of! In fact, it might feel overwhelming. 
It’s important for parents to remember that every child develops at their own rate, with some skills emerging faster, and other skills taking more time. When considering your child’s development, referring to developmental milestones can be an excellent guide. In Part 1 of this blog, we reviewed speech and language milestones to expect during the first year of your baby’s life. In Part 2, we’ll review communication milestones you might expect to see between age 1 and 2. If you begin to feel concerned regarding your child’s development, seek help from a licensed professional right away. A trained therapist will give you accurate information, ease your worries, and if needed, give your child any help they might need.
Speech & Language Skills Emerging Between 1 and 2 Years
1 – 1½ years
Your child might:
- easily understand his own speech
- use a variety of words (between about 3-20) to communicate
- understand between 50-75 words to communicate
- be able to point to various objects or body parts as you say them
- be able to follow simple 1-step directions
- use words that contain a consonant + vowel (e.g. “bo” for boat)
- be eager to imitate words they hear others say
- use some jargon when they’re communicating
- request things by pointing or vocalizing
- let you know what they don’t want, by shaking their head “no” or pushing objects away
1½ – 2 years
Your child might:
- be likely using more true words, and less jargon to communicate
- be asking questions by using a rising intonation
- begin to include sounds at the end of their words (e.g. hot)
- use more than 50 words to communicate
- understand about 300 words to communicate
- begin to combine words into simple phrases
- be able to follow 2-step related directions (e.g. “open the box and give me the bear.”)
- begin to respond to yes/no questions
- understand location concepts “in” and “on”
- begin using words to tell you when they don’t want something (e.g. “no bed”)
For more information about speech and language development in childhood, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/.
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