Watching your baby or toddler develop speech and language skills brings both joy and occasional worry as a first-time parent. If you have early speech concerns about your child’s development, recognizing them in those first three years can make a meaningful difference in your little one’s communication journey. While every child develops at their own unique pace, understanding when to seek help during these crucial infant and toddler stages helps provide your child with the timely support they may need to flourish.
Speech Development Milestones: The Early Months (Birth to 6 Months)
Your baby starts learning to communicate through coos, gurgles, and those precious smiles during these first months. Understanding toddler speech milestones begins here, even though your baby isn’t speaking yet.
Most babies will react to loud sounds and turn their head toward familiar voices. They make eye contact during feedings and begin experimenting with different crying sounds for different needs. These early responses are the foundation for all future communication.
You might want to speak with your pediatrician if you notice your baby doesn’t startle at loud noises or seems unresponsive to voices, even when close by. If you rarely hear them make any sounds, even when content, or they don’t seem to notice or react when you enter the room, these could be signs worth discussing.
Communication Development: 6-12 Months
This stage brings wonderful developments as your baby becomes more interactive. Typically, babies will babble with different sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da.” They respond to their name and begin to understand simple words like “no” and “bye-bye.” Using gestures like waving or reaching up to be held shows they’re connecting communication with meaning.
Consider reaching out to a professional if your baby isn’t babbling or making vocal sounds. If they don’t respond to familiar voices or their name, or show no interest in interactive games like peek-a-boo, these may be early speech concerns worth exploring. You should also pay attention if you notice they’ve stopped making sounds they used to make, as this regression can be significant.
Speech and Language Milestones: 12-24 Months
This period often brings an exciting explosion of language development. Most toddlers will say their first words, often “mama” or “dada.” They point to things they want and follow simple directions like “Please bring me your cup.” Many begin combining two words by age two, saying things like “more milk.”
Professional guidance might be helpful if your child isn’t using any words by 16 months. When toddlers don’t point or use gestures to communicate, or seem unable to follow simple instructions, it may indicate they need support. If they appear frustrated frequently when trying to communicate, addressing early speech concerns can make a real difference in their confidence and development.
Important note about regression: If your child loses words or skills they previously had, notify your pediatrician right away. Any regression in language development can be a red flag that requires professional evaluation, as early intervention makes the biggest difference in outcomes.
Language Development: 24-36 Months
By now, your little one should be becoming quite the chatterbox. Typical development includes using short phrases and sentences and being understood by familiar adults most of the time. They follow two-step instructions like “Get your shoes and bring them to me” and ask simple questions such as “What’s that?”
You may want to seek professional input if your child uses very few words or phrases. If they mainly repeat what others say without their own original speech, or appear to lose skills they previously had, these are important signs to address. When their speech is difficult for most people to understand at this age, early intervention can help tremendously.
How to Address Early Speech Concerns
When you’re concerned about your child’s communication development, remember that seeking help early is one of the most caring things you can do. Start with your pediatrician. They can conduct initial screenings and refer you to specialists if needed.
Early Intervention Services offer free or low-cost evaluations and support in many areas. They can connect you with speech-language pathologists who specialize in early childhood development. These professionals can provide detailed evaluations and create personalized plans to support your child’s communication development.
Remember When Considering Early Speech Concerns...
Trust your parental instincts. You know your child best, and it’s always okay to seek professional guidance if you’re concerned. Early support can make a significant difference in your child’s development.
Some children may just need a little extra time and support to reach their toddler speech milestones. Getting help isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a sign of love and commitment to your child’s development. When parents have early speech concerns, addressing them proactively gives children the best chance to thrive.
Support Your Baby and Toddler's Speech Journey
Every infant and toddler’s communication journey is unique, and seeking professional guidance for potential concerns during the first three years doesn’t mean anything is “wrong.” It simply means you’re being proactive about giving your little one the support they might need to thrive.
Remember, you’re not alone in addressing early speech concerns. There are caring professionals ready to support both you and your child every step of the way. The earlier you address concerns, the more tools and support your child will have to develop strong communication skills.
Want to learn more?
Check out my blog Toddler Word Count + 4 Key Communication Skills Guide for more information about age-appropriate milestones and four key communication skills every child needs.
– Ali
Note to Parents
This blog is for informational purposes and not medical advice. My desire is to help you do what you can to support your child’s development in a natural way. Please reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have developmental concerns.
