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Language develops on a surprisingly predictable path, but children do not follow it at exactly the same speed. Some babies are chatty at 12 months; others are quiet until closer to two. Some toddlers understand everything but say little. Some are early walkers and later talkers.
The milestones below are a guide to when to check in, not a test to pass. If something feels off, early assessment is better than waiting.
Language milestones at a glance#
| Age | What many children can do |
|---|---|
| 3–6 months | Coo, babble, turn toward sounds and voices, smile in response |
| 6–9 months | Babble strings like "ba-ba", respond to their name, use gestures |
| 9–12 months | Understand simple words, point, wave, use sounds or words with meaning |
| 12–18 months | Say first words, follow simple instructions, point to familiar objects, use 20–100 words by 18 months |
| 18–24 months | Use 50+ words, put two words together, follow two-step instructions, point to body parts |
| 2–3 years | Use short sentences, ask questions, be understood by familiar adults most of the time |
| 3–4 years | Tell simple stories, use longer sentences, be understood by strangers most of the time |
These ranges are broad. A child who is a little behind in one area may catch up. A child who is behind in several areas, or who loses skills, needs a closer look.
Red flags to act on#
Ask for an assessment if your child:
- has no communication attempts by 12 months — no babbling, gestures, eye contact or back-and-forth interaction
- does not respond to their name or seems not to hear you
- has no words by around 16–18 months
- has fewer than about 50 words or no two-word combinations by two years
- does not follow simple instructions
- loses words or skills they previously had
- is not understood by familiar adults by around three
- stutters, struggles to get words out, or becomes frustrated when talking
- has repeated ear infections or fluid in the ears
- has a strong family history of speech, language or literacy difficulties
Hearing comes first#
You cannot learn to talk if you cannot hear clearly. Every baby in Australia has a hearing screening after birth, but hearing can change. Glue ear (fluid behind the eardrum) is common in young children and can cause temporary hearing loss, especially after a cold.
Signs of possible hearing difficulty:
- not reacting to loud sounds
- turning the TV up loud
- watching faces closely or lip-reading
- delayed speech
- repeated ear infections
- poor attention or behaviour that improves in quiet settings
If you are worried, ask your GP for a hearing test. A child can pass the newborn screening and still have hearing problems later.
How to support language at home#
You do not need special equipment. The everyday stuff works.
Talk, narrate and respond#
Talk about what you are doing: "We're washing the red cup. It's wet. Now we dry it." Pause and give your child a chance to respond with a sound, word or gesture. This back-and-forth is called serve and return, and it is the foundation of language.
Read together#
Books expose children to words, rhythm and print. You do not have to finish the book. Let your child turn pages, point and name pictures. Ask open questions: "What's the dog doing?" "Where's the ball?"
Sing and rhyme#
Songs and nursery rhymes slow language down and make sounds memorable. They also build phonological awareness, which matters for reading later.
Follow their interest#
If your child is fascinated by diggers, talk about diggers. Name what they are looking at. Get down to their level and wait for their response. A child who is interested learns more than a child who is being drilled.
Expand what they say#
If your child says "dog", you can say, "Yes, a big brown dog. The dog is running." This adds a word or two without correcting or pressuring.
Reduce background noise#
TV, tablets and constant background music make it harder for children to hear and practise language. Turn things off when you are talking. Screen time is not a substitute for conversation.
Our guide to screen time for toddlers covers the Australian guidelines, background TV and how to choose content that is worth watching together.
Limit the dummy during awake time#
Dummies can help with settling, but too much dummy use during the day can reduce babbling and talking. If your child uses one, try keeping it for sleep and offering other comfort during play.
When to see a speech pathologist#
A speech pathologist assesses speech, language, fluency, voice and swallowing. You can see one privately, through a community health service, or through a hospital clinic. In Australia, your GP can refer you and may develop a chronic disease management plan for allied health sessions if you are eligible. The NDIS early childhood approach may also support children under seven with developmental delay or disability.
You do not need a referral to see some private speech pathologists, but a GP referral can help with Medicare rebates and coordination. Ask about fees, waiting lists and whether the practice has experience with your child's age and needs.
Common mistakes#
- Waiting until school. Early support is more effective than waiting for a child to catch up.
- Assuming bilingualism causes delay. It does not.
- Blaming a dummy for everything. Dummy use can be a factor, but it is not the whole story.
- Using screens as a language tool. A screen cannot respond to your child the way a person can.
- Correcting every error. Model the correct word instead of saying "no, say it properly".
- Ignoring hearing. A hearing test is a basic part of any speech assessment.
- Comparing siblings. Children develop at different rates.
When to get help#
Talk to your child and family health nurse, GP or paediatrician if:
- you are worried about your child's hearing, speech or understanding
- your child is not meeting the milestones above
- your child has lost skills
- your child is frustrated, withdrawn or having behaviour difficulties because they cannot communicate
- your child stutters or has a hoarse voice
- your child has trouble chewing or swallowing
If your child has a seizure, is unresponsive, or has sudden difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 000.
The bottom line#
Speech and language develop at different rates, but some patterns need early assessment. Watch for no communication attempts by 12 months, few words or no word combinations by two, and any loss of skills. Talk, read, sing and respond every day, check hearing if you are unsure, and ask for a speech pathology assessment rather than waiting. Early help is not a label. It is a shortcut to support.
For the toddler behaviour that can come with communication frustration, read our toddler tantrums guide. If your child is starting care or school, our childcare guide and starting school guide explain what to ask.
Frequently asked
When do babies say their first word?
Many babies say their first meaningful word around 12 months, but there is a wide range. Babbling, gestures, eye contact and responding to their name are important foundations before first words. By 18 months, many toddlers use 20–100 words. If your baby is not using gestures or sounds to communicate by 12 months, or has no words by around 16–18 months, talk to your child and family health nurse or GP.
Is it normal for a two-year-old not to talk?
Some children are late talkers and catch up, but a two-year-old with fewer than about 50 words or no two-word combinations should be assessed. Do not wait and see if you are worried. A hearing test and a speech pathology assessment can identify what is happening and whether support is needed. Early support is more effective than waiting until school.
Does speaking two languages cause a delay?
No. Bilingual children may say fewer words in one language than a monolingual child of the same age, but their total vocabulary across both languages is usually comparable. Language milestones apply across the languages a child is learning. If you are concerned, see a speech pathologist who can assess in your child's languages or with an interpreter.
Should I stop using a dummy?
Dummies can be useful for settling, but frequent dummy use during the day can reduce opportunities to babble and talk. If your child uses a dummy a lot, try limiting it to sleep times and offering it less during play. Never dip a dummy in honey or sweet substances. If your child is difficult to understand or has speech concerns, mention dummy use to your speech pathologist.
References
Sources and further reading
We use primary Australian guidance first. These links open in a new tab.
- Language development: 1–2 yearsRaising Children Network
- Speech development in childrenhealthdirect
- Developmental milestones in babies and childrenhealthdirect
- Language development: 2–3 yearsRaising Children Network
How this guide was made
Drafted with AI assistance and edited against the public sources above. This is general information for Australian families, not personal medical, legal or financial advice. It has not been medically reviewed.
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