What is normal speech development in children?

Language development varies between children, even within the same family, but most children tend to follow a natural progression for mastering the skills of language. There are certain milestones that provide a rough guide to normal development.

How does speech develop over time?

Babies need to learn how language sounds before they can learn how to speak.

Although individual children develop at their own rate, there are some general patterns:

• From 1 to 3 months of age, babies cry and coo.
• At 4 to 6 months of age, babies sigh, grunt, gurgle, squeal, laugh and make different crying sounds.
• Between 6 and 9 months, babies babble in syllables and start imitating tones and speech sounds.
• By 12 months, a baby will usually start speaking their first words.
• By 18 months to 2 years children use about 50 words and will start combining 2 words together into phrases or short sentences.
• From 2 to 3 years, sentences extend to 4 and 5 words. Children can recognise and identify almost all common objects and pictures, as well as use pronouns (I, me, he, she) and some plurals. Strangers can understand most words.
• From 3 to 5 years, conversations become longer and more abstract and complex.

By the time a child turns 5, they usually have a 2,500-word vocabulary and talk in complete, grammatically correct sentences. They may ask a lot of ‘why?’, ‘what?’ and ‘who?’ questions.

How can parents help with speech development?

Here’s how you can encourage your baby’s speech development:

• Make faces and noises and talk about your activities from the day they are born.
• Play interactive games such as peek-a-boo and sing nursery rhymes.
• Look at picture books from an early age — you don’t have to read the words, just talk about what you can see.
• Talk slowly and clearly and use short, simple sentences — if your child is already talking, try using sentences that are 1 or 2 words longer than the sentences they use themselves. For example, if your baby uses 3-word sentences, talk to them in sentences of 4 or 5 words.
• Let your child lead the conversation and help them expand on their thoughts.
• Give your child lots of opportunities to talk, and make sure you give them enough time to answer your questions.

There are also things you should try to avoid:

• Avoid testing your child, for example, by asking 'what's this?' — children learn better without pressure.
• Don’t criticise your child if they can’t yet pronounce a word. It’s better to repeat the word properly yourself. For example, if your baby points to a cat and says ‘Ca’ say: ‘Yes, it’s a cat’.
• Reduce background noise such as TV, so that your child can hear and listen to your conversations with other family members.

Why is hearing important for my child’s speech development?

In order to learn how to say sounds correctly, children must be able to hear sounds clearly. Hearing loss in babies and toddlers can cause a delay in speech development.

Common causes of reduced hearing in young children include recurrent middle ear infections and ‘glue ear’. These are treatable conditions and if addressed, will not usually cause permanent hearing loss or speech delays.

If your child has frequent middle ear infections or ‘glue ear’, your GP or paediatrician should refer you to an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

When should I seek help for my child’s speech development?

See your doctor or child health nurse if:

• By 12 months, your child is not trying to communicate with you (using sounds, gestures and/or words), particularly when they want something or need help.
• By 2 years, your child isn’t saying about 50 words or hasn’t started combining words into short sentences.

If you are worried about your child’s speech development, see an audiologist to get their hearing checked.

Use the healthdirect Australia Service Finder to find an audiologist or speech pathologist near you.

Resources and support

Learn more about your child's language and speech development on Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.

For more information about normal speech development as well as how to encourage speech development in your child, see the Speech Pathology Australia website.

The Royal Children’s Hospital has information about ear infections and ‘glue ear’.

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).