Although every child's pace of development is different, there are critical milestones to follow in language development. Families waiting with thoughts like "He is a boy, he will speak late" or "His father also spoke late" can delay early intervention for possible problems.
Language Development Expectations by Age
- 12-15 Months: Expected to say a few meaningful words (mom, dad, give).
- 18-24 Months: Should have a vocabulary of at least 20-50 words and form simple two-word sentences ("Mom water", "Dad go").
- 3 Years: A stranger should be able to understand at least 75% of the child's speech.
When to Consult a Specialist?
If your child is 2 years old and still hasn't said a single word, avoids eye contact, doesn't respond when called, or acts as if they forgot words they previously said, you should definitely consult a Child Development Specialist or a Speech and Language Therapist. Eliminating screen exposure and talking face-to-face with the child abundantly are the first steps to take at home.
