Speech and Language Milestones: the Second Year
During the second year, children become increasingly able to use speech and language for a variety of purposes. Not only will they be able to tell you their wants and needs, but as their vocabularies increase, they will also learn to use language to label objects, ask questions, describe ideas, and comment about their world.
Children will also make the exciting transition from using single words to combining words to make phrases and sentences. Although milestones continue to serve as a good general guide for typical speech and language development, try not to get too caught up in comparing your child to others. Language development can vary greatly from child to child during the second year especially.
12–15 Months
Expressing:
Gestures and verbalizes (words and babbling) to communicate
Learns new words each month
Understanding:
Follows simple directions and understands basic questions
Will listen to simple stories, rhymes, and songs
15–18 Months
Expressing:
Communicates with greater intent (requesting, labeling, commenting, greeting others)
Begins asking simple questions (e.g. “Where Daddy?”)
Repeats words frequently
Has an average range of 10 – 50 words
Understanding:
Points to some body parts when named
Demonstrates an increase in pretend play (e.g. pretends to feed doll)
18–24 Months
Expressing:
Begins to put two words together (e.g. “More milk.”)
Can use p, b, m, t, d, n, w, h
Many other speech sounds may be mispronounced
Understanding:
Answers simple questions
Points to pictures of common objects when named
So when should you be concerned about your toddler’s speech and language development? If by 24 months of age, you should alert your pediatrician and your child should be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist if your child:
Does not combine two words to make meaningful phrases
Unable to follow simple directions
Unable to point to pictures when named
Speech is unclear 50 percent of the time
Although children develop speech and language at their own pace, if your child does not seem to be making progress and demonstrates these red flags, a speech-language evaluation is warranted. The second year is a good time to address any potential issues early on.
More in milestones:
Why developmental milestones will make you crazy
Newborn to 1 Month: Emotional Development
Newborn to 1 Month: Physical Development
Newborn to 1 Month: Cognitive Development
2-4 Months: Physical Development
2-4 Months: Emotional Development
2-4 Months: Cognitive Development
5-7 Months: Emotional Development
5-7 Months: Physical Development
8-12 Months: Emotional Development
8-12 Months: Cognitive Development
8-12 Months: Physical Development
12-15 Months: Emotional Development
12-15 Months: Physical Development
12-15 Months: Cognitive Development
16-19 Months: Emotional Development
16-19 Months: Physical Development
16-19 Months: Cognitive Development
20-24 Months: Emotional Development
20-24 Months: Physical Development
20-24 Months: Cognitive Development
Speech and language milestones: baby’s first year
Sources:
- American Speech, Hearing and Language Association
- How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?
Centers for Prevention and Disease Control - Milestones, Two Years.
American Association of Pediatrics - Language Development, Two Year Olds.
Powered by Bundoo®
