Normal Development

• Says first words (10–18 months)

• Words aren’t always complete or said properly, but they have meaning (10–20 months)

• Can carry out simple requests (“Please get your shoes”) (12–19 months)

• Repeats single words spoken by someone else (16–19 months)

• Adds 10–20 new words per day—including language they hear from others (18–24 months)

• Can correctly identify a picture with its name (14–24 months)

• Says names of familiar people, objects, and body parts (14–24)

• Has a vocabulary of around 200 words (16–24 months)

• Begins to put words together (20–24)

• Begins to ask questions (especially “Why?”) (22+)

What You Can Do

• Expand on what your child says (Child: “Red cup.” Parent: “Yes, that is the red cup you drink your water from”).

• Allow your child to talk about stories you are reading

• Ask questions

• Encourage your child to describe things in detail

• Use music, songs, and routines to help organize your actions

• Speak clearly and not too fast

• Be excited and enthusiastic when you talk, read, or tell stories

• Talk about what you are seeing and doing, even if you think your child won’t understand all of it.

• Use new words to build their vocabulary

• Ask questions that require more than a yes-or-no answer

• Be patient when waiting for answers (try not to answer for your child)

Our Advice

• Don’t worry about grammar. Your child will learn it over time and through their experiences in the world around them

• Lots of kids are hard to understand early on in their language development. Give them lots of time and practice and this will improve

• Try not to use a pacifier outside of the crib

• Try to use straw cups or real cups whenever possible. Sippy cups can hold back language development

• Support your child’s attempts to talk and try not to correct or criticize him or her

• Talking to your child is the best way to learn language—try not to use videos as a substitute!

• Some children speak earlier and say more words than others—that is okay.

Try not to compare yourself to other parents, or your child to other children. Every family is different!

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