When to Worry, When to Wait: A Parent’s Guide to Early Speech & Language Development
It’s one of the most common concerns parents bring up: “Should I be worried about my child’s speech and language?”
We’ve all been there - getting unsolicited advice from a well-meaning family member or a stranger on the playground. It’s easy to feel uncertain, especially when so many opinions are floating around. Between Google searches, parenting forums, and even tools like ChatGPT, we have more information at our fingertips than ever before, but figuring out what’s accurate can still feel overwhelming. It’s also very natural to compare your child’s progress to others, even when we know all children develop differently.
These comments might offer comfort in the moment, but they often encourage families to take a “wait and see” approach, and unfortunately, that means some children miss out on early support when it can make a big difference.
Speech vs. Language - They’re not the same
Let’s start by clarifying the difference between speech and language as these skills are not the same and often develop at different rates!
Speech refers to how we say sounds and words - our articulation, voice, and fluency - while language is how we understand and use words to share ideas, needs, and thoughts. Both are essential for communication, but challenges in one area don’t always mean challenges in the other.
A child might have strong emerging language skills - they can say many different words to name their favourite animals, toys, and people - but their pronunciation and speech may still be unclear. This is completely typical for our early communicators!
Milestones vs. Averages — What’s the Difference?
This can be confusing, so let’s break it down.
Milestones mark skills that 90% of children have mastered by a specific age.
Averages reflect what most kids are doing — but some will be earlier or later.
For example:
If most children start combining two words around 18 months, and nearly all are doing it by 24 months, that becomes the milestone. If a child isn’t there yet, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, it just means it’s worth checking in.
Key Milestones and When to Check In
Here’s a look at communication development across the toddler years, along with supportive signs that may mean your child could benefit from a screening:
By 6–9 Months
Common skills:
Babbling (like “ba-ba,” “da-da”)
Smiling and looking when someone talks
Showing interest in voices and faces
Consider checking in if:
Your baby isn’t making many sounds
They don’t turn to voices or show engagement
By 12 Months
Common skills:
Uses gestures like pointing, waving, showing
Responds to their name
Babbles with a mix of sounds
Starts saying their first few words
Waves “hi” and “bye”
Follows simple, one-step directions
Enjoys playing social games like “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”
Consider checking in if:
Your child isn’t pointing to request or show you things
They’re not trying to communicate using sounds or gestures
They don’t seem to notice or hear if someone else enters the room
By 18 Months
Common skills:
Has words to express their favourite foods, people, and/or things
Starts combining two words (e.g., “daddy shoes,” or “mommy go”)
Understands simple directions (“come here,” “want up?”)
Points to show interest
Knows some body parts
Consider checking in if:
Your toddler uses only a few words
They don’t seem to understand or follow simple directions
By 24 Months
Common skills:
Vocabulary of 50+ words
Uses short phrases and puts words together
Understands 2-step instructions and new words every week
Can point to pictures in a book when asked
Follows simple routines and directions
Ask questions like, “where daddy?”
Engages in simple pretend play
Consider checking in if:
Your child isn’t combining words
They have fewer than 50 words
They prefer playing alone rather than with others
By 3 Years
Common skills:
Can be understood by adults most of the time
Speaks in 3–4 word sentences
Answers simple questions and retells parts of a story
Can tell you their name (when asked)
Understands some concepts (i.e., in/on, up/don, etc.)
Consider checking in if:
Speech is usually hard to understand even by familiar caregivers
Child is frustrated when not being understood
They rarely use full sentences
They don’t ask or answer simple questions
What Does the Research Say About Outcomes for Late Talkers?
First, let’s define late talking: a later talker is a term used by speech-language pathologists, paediatricians, psychologists etc. to describe a child under 3 years with an unusually small expressive vocabulary with no subsequent developmental disability or hearing impairment.
While some children who are late talkers catch up by kindergarten, some studies reveal that many do not.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving over 2,000 toddlers (Fisher, 2017) on late talking toddlers cited research by Dollaghan, 2013, who found that overall the prognosis for late talkers is good, and that many catch up to their peers with language scores within the average range by preschool and kindergarten.
However, they concluded that children who are late talkers face an elevated risk of persistent language or learning challenges in comparison to children who develop speech at the expected time.
Overall, we can’t predict which late talkers will catch up on their own and which will go on to experience persistent language or learning challenges.
That’s why early support matters — it gives every child the best chance to thrive.
What Parents Can Do
The good news? There are things you can do right now.
Engage in quality interactions: Read together, sing, talk during everyday routines, and follow your child’s lead in play.
Provide language-rich environments: Surround your child with books, conversations, and new experiences.
Get screened early: If you have concerns, or even just a “gut feeling,” a quick screening can offer clarity and peace of mind.
Trust Your Gut and Reach Out Early
Speech and language challenges don’t just affect talking, they can impact play, friendships, learning, and emotional expression. That’s why early support from a professional can make such a big difference.
Families know their children best. If something feels off, it’s always okay to ask for a second opinion.
Free Screenings This May
In honour of Better Speech and Hearing Month, we’re offering free virtual speech and language screenings for families in Waterloo, Burlington and nearby communities.
The screening is short (15–20 minutes), friendly, and includes:
A quick look at age-based milestones
Time for your questions and concerns
Clear next steps, if support is recommended
📍 Ontario-area parents — book your free screening and/or free intake appointment here: https://calendar.app.google/XRbtiVktobofXMXK7
Can’t find a time to connect that works for you? Email us directly at info@elemenoe.ca and we’ll set up an appointment with you!
