A Milestone Checklist to Know If Your Child Might Benefit from Speech Therapy
At The Little Seedling, one of the most common questions we hear from parents is: “Is my child’s speech and language development on track?”
It’s important to remember: every child develops at their own pace. Some children are early talkers, while others take more time. Still, there are general developmental milestones that give us helpful clues about how a child is progressing in their communication skills.
Here’s a simple guide to what you might typically expect at each stage of early development.
By 12 Months
Your child may:
- Respond to their name
- Babble with a variety of sounds (ba, da, ma)
- Say one or two words—like mama, dada, hi, and bye
- Use gestures like pointing or waving
- Begin to understand familiar words like “no” or “bye-bye”
By 18 Months
Your child may:
- Say around 10–20 words
- Understand simple directions like “come here” or “give me the toy”
- Use words or sounds to request things (e.g., “milk,” “more”)
- Start naming familiar people or objects
By 2 Years
Your child may:
- Have a vocabulary of 50 or more words
- Start putting two words together (e.g., “more juice,” “mummy go”)
- Be understood by familiar adults most of the time
- Show interest in naming things and asking for help
By 3 Years
Your child may:
- Speak in short sentences (3–4 words)
- Ask and answer simple questions (what, where, who)
- Follow instructions with two steps (e.g., “Pick up the ball and put it in the box”)
- Be understood by people outside the family most of the time
By 4 Years
Your child may:
- Use full sentences to describe, ask questions, or tell simple stories
- Use pronouns correctly (he, she, they)
- Talk about recent events or things that happened during the day
- Be mostly understood by unfamiliar listeners
Trust Your Instincts
Many parents wonder if what they’re noticing is typical—or something to keep an eye on. The best thing you can do is trust your instincts.
If something doesn’t feel quite right, or if your child is finding communication more challenging, it’s okay to ask for help. Early intervention can make a big difference.
Speech therapy can be a gentle, playful way to build your child’s confidence and communication skills early on—setting them up for success in school, friendships, and life.
We’re Here for You
At The Little Seedling, we believe that early support can make a big difference. If you have questions about your child’s speech and language development, we’d love to help.
📞 Contact us for a free consultation or to schedule a screening.
