Speech and language: Where your toddler should be by age 2

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children can address a wide range of communicative challenges including articulation (i.e., speech sounds), fluency (i.e., stuttering), language (i.e., grammar, vocabulary), and social skills (i.e., conversation, maintenance of joint attention and eye contact). Sometimes children accessing SLP services have identified diagnoses such as Autism, Down Syndrome or an Oral Motor Disorder.

Often times, however, parents inquire with an SLP as they are unsure about whether or not their child is meeting their developmental milestones. Perhaps they haven’t yet heard their child say “mommy,” or maybe they have, but it was unclear and is inconsistent. While typically-developing children acquire speech and language at differing rates, there are some early speech and language skills that are expected by the age of two. Children should:

• Produce approximately 50 words expressively at 18 months, and 200 words at 24 months
• Begin combining words into simple phrases (i.e., more milk)
• Follow simple 2-step instructions (i.e., put on your shoes and get your bag)
• Imitate new words or sounds
• Respond to simple ‘where’ and yes-and-no questions
• Use simple speech sounds with clarity (P, B, M, N, H, W) but may have difficulty with more complex sounds (K, G, S, L, TH, SH, R, etc.)
• Be understood approximately 50% of the time by others

The ‘wait and see’ approach is not recommended at this age.  If you suspect that your child may have a speech or language delay, contact a speech-language pathologist for a consultation. They will then be able to recommend the best course of action for your child that suits their individual needs.

Tamara Paull M.Sc, Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO