When Do Kids Start Saying Words? Your Child's Unique Journey to Communication

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Foundations of Communication: Before the First Word
3. The Excitement of First Words and Beyond
4. Key Factors Influencing Speech Development
5. Practical Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Speech
6. Understanding Potential Roadblocks: When to Pay Closer Attention
7. When to Consult a Professional
8. Speech Blubs: Your Partner in Communication Development
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The first sounds, the first coos, the first time your child intentionally looks at you and says “Mama” or “Dada” – these are moments etched in every parent’s memory. Watching your little one begin to express themselves is one of the most exciting and anticipated phases of early childhood. It’s a journey filled with curiosity, anticipation, and often, a few questions about whether your child is on track.

Every child is a unique individual, and their path to communication is no exception. Some children seem to burst into conversation early, while others take a more measured approach, preferring to observe and absorb before they begin to speak. This variability is completely normal, but it’s also natural for parents to wonder: when do kids start saying words, and how can we best support them along the way?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the typical milestones of speech development, from those initial gurgles to full sentences. We’ll explore the factors that influence how and when children start talking, and we’ll offer practical, everyday strategies you can use to encourage your child’s communication skills. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how to recognize signs that might warrant a closer look and how tools like Speech Blubs can provide joyful, effective support, ensuring every child has the opportunity to find their voice and speak their minds and hearts.

Introduction

Imagine a world where you couldn’t fully express your thoughts, your needs, or your overwhelming joy. For young children, the journey to articulate language is a gradual unfolding, moving from silent observation to expressive chatter. It begins long before the first clear word emerges, with a symphony of coos, gurgles, and babbles that lay the groundwork for sophisticated communication. This process is truly magical, marking your child’s first steps towards connecting with the world around them in a profound new way.

It’s common for parents to observe their child’s progress and compare it with siblings or friends, leading to questions like, “Are they speaking enough?” or “When will they finally say my name?” The truth is, while there are general developmental timelines, each child’s journey is unique. Some toddlers might be sprinting towards physical milestones like walking, temporarily placing verbal development on the back burner. Others might be quiet observers, processing the sounds and rhythms of language before confidently articulating their first words.

The purpose of this blog post is to demystify the timeline of speech development, offering you clear insights into what to expect and when. We’ll delve into the fascinating stages, from early babbling to those first meaningful words and beyond, providing a roadmap for understanding your child’s progress. We’ll also equip you with simple, effective strategies to foster their communication skills in everyday interactions and discuss when it might be helpful to seek additional support. Our main message is clear: understanding your child’s unique pace and providing a supportive, engaging environment are paramount to nurturing their journey to confident communication, and accessible tools like Speech Blubs are here to help every step of the way.

The Foundations of Communication: Before the First Word

Long before your child utters their first recognizable word, they are hard at work building the intricate neural pathways necessary for language. Communication doesn’t just appear overnight; it’s a layered process that begins from the moment they are born, as they listen, observe, and experiment with the sounds of their world.

From Cries to Coos (Birth to 3 Months)

From day one, babies are avid listeners. They pay close attention to the human voice, learning to associate different tones with emotions and specific sounds with their sources, like the comforting sound of your voice or the bark of the family dog. Their earliest form of communication is, of course, crying. Yet, even these cries begin to differentiate, signaling hunger, discomfort, or a need for attention.

As they grow, babies begin to experiment with their vocal cords, lips, and tongue. You’ll hear gentle, vowel-like “cooing” sounds – long “oo,” “aa,” and “ee” sounds – often accompanied by delighted gurgles. These aren’t just random noises; they are precursors to speech, showing that your baby is learning to use their mouth to make sounds.

• What your baby understands: Babies as young as 4 weeks can distinguish between similar syllables, like “ma” and “na.” They are absorbing the rhythm and intonation of your speech, even if the words hold no meaning yet.
• Parent tips: Respond to their cries with comfort and words. Talk to them face-to-face, making eye contact, and narrate your actions. Smile and coo back at them to encourage these early vocalizations. This responsive interaction is crucial for building early communication skills.

The Joy of Babbling (4 to 6 Months)

Around 4 to 6 months, those gentle coos give way to more complex and playful sounds. This is the stage of babbling, where your baby starts to string together consonants and vowels. You’ll begin to hear sounds formed at the back of the tongue, like “g” and “k,” and lip sounds such as “m,” “w,” “p,” and “b.” This is often when you first hear those exciting “ba-ba,” “ma-ma,” or “da-da” repetitions. While these aren’t yet meaningful words, they are vital practice for speech.

At this age, babies also start to focus on familiar words. Around 4.5 months, they might recognize their own name, not necessarily as a reference to themselves, but as an important word that gets their attention, much like “Hi!” or “Bye!” By 6 months, they’ll often start to realize that their name actually refers to them.

• What your baby understands: Your baby is becoming attuned to the sounds of their native language and is beginning to associate certain sounds with specific lip movements. They’re listening to your tone of voice to understand if you’re happy or upset.
• Parent tips: Imitate their babbling sounds back to them. This creates a communicative “dance” that reinforces their attempts. Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes; the repetition and rhythm are excellent for pre-language development. Keep talking to them, pointing out objects, and describing what you see and do.

Intentional Sounds and Gestures (7 to 12 Months)

As your baby approaches their first birthday, their babbling becomes more sophisticated, taking on the rhythm and tone of real speech (sometimes called the “jargon phase”). They’ll intentionally repeat sounds like “gaga” over and over. This is also a crucial period for gestures. Around 9 months, they’ll start using gestures like pointing, waving “bye-bye,” or grunting to indicate their wants and needs. These non-verbal cues are powerful forms of communication, bridging the gap until words become more consistent.

Around 10 months, babies gain more control over their sounds, combining them in new ways and even using their own invented words to refer to specific objects or people. By 11-12 months, your baby might understand very simple instructions, especially when paired with a visual cue, like holding out your hand and saying, “Give to daddy?”

• What your baby understands: Your baby is slowly beginning to recognize and comprehend a few familiar words, such as names and everyday objects like “bottle” or “crib.” They’ll respond to their own name and focus more on intonation, realizing that a sharp tone often means “No!” or “Stop!”
• Parent tips: Encourage gestures and respond to them as if they were words. Narrate everything you’re doing: “Mommy is peeling a banana for you,” or “Let’s put on your shoes.” Play interactive games like peekaboo, patty-cake, and action rhymes, which encourage engagement and turn-taking, fundamental for conversation.

The Excitement of First Words and Beyond

The arrival of the first word is a landmark moment, a clear signal that your child is ready to bridge the gap between understanding and expression. But this is just the beginning; the journey from single words to complex sentences is a continuous and exciting evolution.

Your Child’s First Words (12 to 18 Months)

According to experts, most babies will say their first real, meaningful words around their first birthday, typically between 12 and 18 months. These initial words are often very concrete and highly motivating for the child, such as “mama,” “dada,” “doggy,” “cookie,” or simple greetings like “hi” or “bye-bye.” The key here is meaningful – they are now using the word intentionally to refer to something specific.

Initially, vocabulary builds slowly, perhaps just a few new words per month. Toddlers tend to prefer nouns, naming people, objects, and pets, before gradually adding verbs and adjectives. You might also notice them experimenting with one-word questions, like “Cookie?” to ask “May I have a cookie?” or delighting in a firm “No!” to assert their burgeoning independence.

• What your toddler understands: Your child should understand many more words than they can say. They can grasp simple one-step instructions (“Get the ball”) and are beginning to understand the first rudiments of grammar, like the difference between “The dog bit the man” and “The man bit the dog” by relying on context and word order.
• Parent tips: Expand on their single words. If they say “doggy,” you can respond, “Yes, that’s a big, fluffy doggy!” This models correct and expanded language without correcting them directly. Continue reading together, pointing to pictures and naming them. Encourage them to try new words by pausing and waiting for their response.

The Language Explosion (19 to 24 Months)

Around 19 to 20 months, many toddlers experience what linguists call a “language explosion.” After several weeks of steady but slow progress, their vocabulary suddenly expands at a ferocious rate – sometimes learning as many as nine new words a day! This rapid acquisition transforms their communication abilities.

By the end of their second year, your toddler will be stringing two, three, or even four words together in short sentences like “Mommy bye-bye,” “me milk,” or “want cookie now.” This is also an age where they might overextend concepts (calling all round things “ball”) or under-extend them (only referring to their blanket as “blanket”). They are learning that words mean more than just objects; they also represent abstract ideas like “mine” or “all gone.”

• What your toddler understands: Your child will slowly begin to grasp the idea of verbs and action words. Fully aware that you are their key to language, they will watch and listen to you, absorbing everything you say and do.
• Parent tips: Continue narrating everything you do and see, using descriptive language. Ask open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer. For parents noticing this ‘language explosion,’ our app’s structured activities, like those available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, can provide thousands of new words and phrases. By reinforcing that rapid learning with engaging video modeling, we help children to build confidence and expand their vocabulary in a fun, interactive way.

Refining and Expanding (25 to 30 Months)

During this period, your toddler refines their existing language skills and adds more complexity. They’ll start using “When? What? Where?” to their frequent “Why?” questions. They begin to grasp that words like “no” can carry different meanings – “not,” “don’t,” or “it’s all gone.” Later in this phase, they may start using more abstract verbs like “think” and “know.” As they gain better control of their tongue tip while speaking, they also begin to manage more challenging sounds like “ph,” “th,” and “r.”

Children will also begin to understand tense, plurals, and suffixes such as “-ing” and “-ly.” Their sentences become slightly longer and more grammatically complex, though still with occasional endearing mistakes.

• What your toddler understands: They’re improving their understanding of grammar and syntax, building on the foundation of two-word sentences to interpret longer and more complex phrases.
• Parent tips: Rhyming games are excellent for building awareness of language sounds. When your child makes a mistake, repeat the sentence back correctly instead of drawing attention to the error. For instance, if they say, “I goed playground,” you can gently rephrase, “You went to the playground? That sounds like fun!” At Speech Blubs, we believe in ‘smart screen time’ that fosters active communication. Our activities, built on a unique ‘video modeling’ methodology where children learn by watching and imitating their peers, can be a powerful complement to these efforts, turning screen time into an active, engaging learning experience. You can even create your account today to explore how our app supports these advanced language skills and encourages correct sound production in a playful, supportive environment.

Telling Stories and Full Thoughts (3 Years)

By the age of three, your child should be able to convey whole thoughts using a few words, such as “Mommy no socks” for “Mommy isn’t wearing any socks today.” As they near the end of this year, they’ll speak in longer sentences, putting several thoughts together to tell a coherent story. Their expressive vocabulary typically reaches around 300 words, and they are capable of holding much more extensive conversations.

They also start to engage in imaginative play, using language to create scenarios and roles, which is a fantastic way to practice new vocabulary and sentence structures.

• What your toddler understands: They should be able to follow a storyline and remember key ideas from it, showing a growing capacity for narrative comprehension. They’ll also begin to enjoy nonsense phrases and riddles.
• Parent tips: Read storybooks with more detailed narratives to your child, encouraging them to discuss the plot and characters. Continue to engage them in conversations, asking questions about their day or what they are playing. For example, “Was Mary in school today? Was she wearing that hat with the fruit on it again?” This helps them process and articulate their experiences.

Conversational Masters (4 to 5 Years)

By four to five years old, your child’s language skills blossom into impressive conversational abilities. They should be able to have extensive conversations with adults, using adjectives and adverbs to create detailed sentences. They’ll tell knock-knock jokes, ask questions with proper intonation, and use language to express more complex thoughts like fears, dreams, and feelings. Before turning six, their expressive vocabulary typically expands to around 2,500 words, and their receptive vocabulary (words they understand) can be as high as 14,000 words.

They’re not just communicating; they’re learning to elicit reactions from others, understand nuances, and navigate social conversations with increasing finesse.

• What your child understands: Their ability to understand complicated thoughts and abstract concepts grows significantly. They are learning to use polite language like “thank you” and to express themselves emotionally.
• Parent tips: Encourage their storytelling and imaginative play. Don’t criticize any missteps in articulation or word usage; instead, gently repeat their statements back to them with the correct pronunciation or word choice. Shower them with praise for their efforts to communicate, reinforcing their confidence.

Key Factors Influencing Speech Development

While we’ve outlined a general timeline, it’s essential to remember that many elements can influence a child’s speech development. Understanding these factors can help parents provide the most supportive environment for their little communicator.

The Power of Hearing and Listening

Speech is fundamentally learned through listening. If a child cannot hear sounds clearly, their ability to imitate and reproduce those sounds will be hampered. Frequent ear infections, particularly recurrent fluid in the middle ear, or an undiagnosed hearing loss can significantly slow language development. It’s crucial that babies receive hearing screenings early on, and if there are any concerns about your child’s response to sounds, consult your pediatrician immediately.

The Role of Social Interaction and Environment

Children are social learners. They acquire language by interacting with the people around them. Conversations, even simple back-and-forth babbling with an infant, are vital. A child who is regularly engaged in responsive communication—being talked to, read to, and having their attempts at communication acknowledged and expanded upon—is likely to develop language more readily. Conversely, environments with limited verbal interaction or excessive background noise (like a constantly running TV) can hinder a child’s ability to focus on and absorb language.

At Speech Blubs, our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts.” Our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and created the tool they wished they had. We understand the profound impact of social interaction on language development. This is why our app provides a screen-free alternative to passive viewing, promoting active engagement and fostering genuine family connection. We believe that learning is most effective when it’s a shared, interactive experience. Learn more about the scientific methodology behind our approach here.

Motor Skills vs. Verbal Development

Sometimes, children prioritize different developmental pathways. A child who is intensely focused on mastering gross motor skills like crawling, standing, or walking might temporarily dedicate less energy to verbal development. They might be “late talkers” but catch up quickly once their physical milestones are achieved. This is often just a phase where a child is pouring their energy into one area of development before shifting focus to another.

Temperament and Individual Personality

A child’s natural temperament also plays a role. Some children are naturally outgoing and eager to try out new sounds and words, even if they aren’t perfect. Others are more observant and cautious, preferring to take in a great deal of language before they feel confident enough to produce it themselves. There is no right or wrong personality type when it comes to learning to speak.

Bilingualism and Speech

A common misconception is that growing up in a bilingual household causes speech delays. Research consistently shows that bilingualism does not cause speech delays. Children in bilingual homes may develop a smaller vocabulary in each language individually compared to their monolingual peers, but their total conceptual vocabulary across both languages is typically equal to or greater than that of monolingual children. They may start speaking slightly later, but this is usually still within the normal age range (8-15 months) and they catch up quickly. In fact, bilingualism offers significant cognitive benefits.

Practical Ways to Encourage Your Child’s Speech

You are your child’s most important language teacher! The good news is that encouraging speech development doesn’t require specialized tools or training; it simply means engaging with your child in meaningful ways during everyday moments.

• Talk to them constantly: Narrate your day. “Mommy is cutting the apple for snack now.” “We are going to the park to see the big slide.” Describe what you see, hear, and do. This consistent exposure to language in context helps your child connect words to objects, actions, and concepts.
• Read together every day: Make reading a special, joyful ritual. Point to pictures and name them. Ask questions (“Where’s the cat?”). Let your child fill in familiar phrases or turn the pages. Books introduce new vocabulary and sentence structures in an engaging way.
• Give them time to respond: When you ask a question or point something out, resist the urge to fill in the silence immediately. Give your child a few extra seconds to process, formulate a response, and vocalize. This encourages them to find their voice rather than relying on you to speak for them.
• Sing songs and play with sounds: Nursery rhymes, simple songs, and even making silly animal noises are fantastic for language development. The repetition, rhythm, and playful sounds help children develop phonological awareness, which is crucial for distinguishing and producing different speech sounds.
• Limit background noise: It’s hard for a child to tune into your voice and learn new words when the television is constantly on in the background. Try to turn off the TV or lower background music during focused play and conversation times to create a clearer auditory environment for language learning.
• Expand on their words: When your child uses a single word, gently expand it into a short phrase or sentence. If they say, “Car,” you can respond, “Yes, that’s a big red car!” This models more complex language without directly correcting them.

For parents looking for engaging ways to supplement these efforts, Speech Blubs offers ‘smart screen time’ activities, designed to support your daily interactions. Our unique ‘video modeling’ methodology means children learn by watching and imitating real peers, transforming screen time into an active learning experience. Imagine your child practicing animal sounds or everyday phrases alongside other kids, building confidence and expanding their vocabulary. Download Speech Blubs today from the App Store or Google Play Store and discover how we blend scientific principles with play into one-of-a-kind communication-building experiences.

Understanding Potential Roadblocks: When to Pay Closer Attention

While the range of normal speech development is broad, it’s also important for parents to be aware of potential signs that might indicate a speech or language delay. Early recognition and intervention can make a significant difference.

Recognizing Signs of Toddler Speech Delays

It’s natural to compare your child to others, but what’s most important is that your child is making consistent progress. If you notice any of the following, it might be worth a discussion with your pediatrician:

• By 12 months: No babbling, limited response to their name or other sounds, or lack of gestures (like waving “bye-bye” or pointing to desired objects).
• By 18 months: Not using any clear, intentional words, difficulty imitating sounds, or a strong preference for gestures over attempting to verbalize.
• By two years old: Fewer than 50 words in their vocabulary, not combining two words into phrases (like “more milk” or “go out”), or speech that is difficult for familiar family members to understand most of the time.
• By three years old: You (and close family members or caregivers) can’t understand what your child is saying 50%-75% of the time, or they have trouble forming sentences and frequently leave out words.
• By four years old: Most people outside the family cannot understand what your child is saying.

Echolalia: Is It Normal?

Echolalia refers to the repetition of words or phrases that a child has heard. This can be immediate (repeating what was just said) or delayed (repeating phrases from earlier in the day or even from TV shows). Echolalia is a normal part of language development in young children, especially as they learn to mimic sounds and sentence structures. It’s their way of practicing.

Typically, as children develop more original language, echolalia decreases. However, if echolalia persists significantly beyond two years of age or seems to replace meaningful, spontaneous communication, it could be a sign to discuss with a speech-language therapist, as it can sometimes be associated with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Differentiating Speech vs. Language Delay

It’s helpful to understand the distinction between a speech delay and a language delay, though they can often overlap:

• Speech delay: This refers to difficulties with the production of sounds. A child with a speech delay might have a good vocabulary and understand many words, but their articulation is unclear, making their words hard to understand. They may have trouble controlling the muscles of their mouth, tongue, and throat.
• Language delay: This refers to difficulties with understanding or using language itself. A child with a language delay might be able to make sounds or even some words clearly, but they struggle to put words together into sentences, follow directions, or express complex thoughts. They might not understand grammar, vocabulary, or the social rules of communication.

Common Causes of Speech Delays

Various factors can contribute to speech and language delays:

• Hearing Loss: As mentioned, if a child can’t hear language clearly, they can’t learn to produce it.
• Oral-Motor Issues: Problems with the tongue, lips, or palate, such as a tongue tie (a short frenulum), or conditions like cerebral palsy which affect muscle control, can make it difficult to form sounds correctly.
• Intellectual or Learning Disabilities: These can impact cognitive development, including the processing and production of language.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Children with ASD often have unique communication patterns, which can include delays, repetitive language, or difficulties with social interaction and non-verbal cues.
• Lack of Stimulation: While less common, psychosocial deprivation, where children don’t receive enough verbal interaction, can impede speech development.
• Genetic Factors: Some research suggests that genes can play a role, and certain conditions (like being a twin, though typically catching up by age 5) can be associated with slightly later language development.
• Selective Mutism: A child talks only in certain situations, often due to social anxiety.

When to Consult a Professional

If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, trust your instincts. You know your child best. Consulting with a professional doesn’t mean there’s definitively a problem; it’s about gaining clarity and accessing support if needed.

Start by discussing your concerns with your pediatrician. They can conduct an initial assessment, rule out any underlying medical issues (like hearing loss), and refer you to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for a comprehensive evaluation. Early intervention isn’t about labeling a child; it’s about giving them the best possible tools and support to thrive. An SLP can diagnose specific speech or language disorders and provide targeted therapy.

If you’re wondering if your child might benefit from professional support, our quick 3-minute preliminary screener can offer an immediate assessment and next-steps plan based on a few simple questions. This can be a great starting point for parents seeking clarity, leading to a free 7-day trial of our app to see how it can supplement your child’s development journey.

Speech Blubs: Your Partner in Communication Development

At Speech Blubs, we are deeply committed to empowering children to “speak their minds and hearts.” Our company was founded on a very personal understanding of speech challenges, as our founders all grew up navigating speech problems and created the powerful tool they wished they had access to. We know firsthand the frustration and joy involved in the journey to confident communication.

Our mission is to provide an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. We achieve this by blending scientific principles with engaging play, creating one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. Unlike passive viewing like cartoons, Speech Blubs offers a screen-free alternative that fosters active learning and genuine family connection. Our unique “video modeling” methodology is at the heart of our approach: children learn by watching and imitating their real-life peers, leveraging the power of mirror neurons to develop complex communication skills in a natural, motivating way.

We understand that parents are looking for real solutions, and we aim to provide valuable support without overpromising. While we won’t suggest your child will be giving public speeches in a month, we are confident that Speech Blubs can foster a love for communication, build confidence, reduce frustration, develop key foundational skills, and create joyful family learning moments. Our app is a powerful supplement to a child’s overall development plan and can be a fantastic tool to complement professional therapy. We always encourage adult co-play and support to maximize the benefits of our app.

We’re committed to making our effective tools accessible. While a monthly subscription is available for $14.99, the best value by far is our Yearly Plan for just $59.99 per year—which breaks down to only $4.99 a month, saving you a remarkable 66%! The Yearly plan isn’t just about savings; it also unlocks exclusive benefits: a 7-day free trial, access to our complementary Reading Blubs app, early access to new updates, and a lightning-fast 24-hour support response time. The Monthly plan, by contrast, does not include these valuable extras. Choose the Yearly plan to get the free trial and the full suite of features designed to help your child thrive. Don’t just take our word for it; see what other parents are saying about their child’s success with Speech Blubs.

Conclusion

The journey of speech development is a marvelous and highly individualized process. From a baby’s first coo to a toddler’s imaginative stories, each stage is a testament to their growing ability to connect with the world. While there are typical milestones to guide us, remember that every child progresses at their own pace, focusing on different skills at different times. Your consistent engagement, patience, and love are the most powerful tools you have to support their communication journey.

If you ever find yourself wondering if your child is on track, trust your instincts. Don’t hesitate to consult with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Early support can make a world of difference, offering children the resources they need to thrive. With encouragement, playful interactions, and engaging tools, you can help your child find their unique voice and express themselves with confidence.

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with your child? Download Speech Blubs today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and unlock a world of ‘smart screen time’ learning. Or, create your account on our website to start your 7-day free trial, and remember to select the Yearly plan to gain access to all our exclusive features, including the Reading Blubs app, and save significantly on your child’s journey to confident communication. Your child’s voice is waiting to be heard!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is it normal for some kids to talk later than others?

Yes, it is completely normal for speech development to vary widely among children. Some children may focus on physical milestones like walking before turning their attention to speaking, while others are naturally more observant and take time to process language before using it. The key is to look for consistent progress rather than comparing your child directly to others.

Q2: How much screen time is okay for language development?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time for young children. For children 2 and older, they suggest no more than two hours of quality programming per day. For language development, interactive, responsive screen time is crucial over passive viewing. “Smart screen time” like Speech Blubs, which involves active imitation and engagement, can be a valuable supplement when used with adult co-play and support, contrasting sharply with passive screen time like cartoons that do not interact or respond to a child’s ideas.

Q3: What’s the difference between a speech delay and a language delay?

A speech delay primarily involves difficulties with the production of sounds, meaning a child might know many words but struggles with clear articulation, making their speech hard to understand. A language delay, on the other hand, involves difficulties with understanding or using language itself, such as struggling to put words into sentences, follow directions, or express complex thoughts, even if they can make some sounds clearly.

Q4: When should I be concerned about my child’s speech?

You should consider consulting your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist if your child is: not babbling or responding to sounds by 12 months; not using any clear words or imitating sounds by 18 months; has fewer than 50 words or no two-word combinations by two years old; or if their speech is consistently difficult for familiar people to understand. Trusting your instincts and seeking early intervention is always a good approach.