Every child has their own pace, but a few milestones help you know when to pay closer attention. Here’s what to keep in mind and how to support speech at home, calmly and without alarm.
What’s typical and what to watch
Usually first words appear around 18 months and first two-word combinations around 24 months. If they don’t appear by then, or there’s little comprehension or imitation, it’s a good time to talk to your pediatrician. These are signs to observe, not a diagnosis.
What you can do at home
Talk to them a lot and slowly, name what you do, read together, sing and cut screen time. Ear education trains sound discrimination, a base for speech: it’s a support, not a substitute for a professional evaluation.
Who to turn to
Your first point of contact is the pediatrician, who can refer you to a speech-language pathologist for evaluation and, if needed, intervention. The earlier a real difficulty is spotted, the more effective the support.
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Frequently asked questions
My child isn’t talking, should I be worried?
Every child has their own pace, but there are signs to observe: first words usually appear around 18 months and first combinations around 24. If they don’t appear, or there’s little comprehension or imitation, it’s a good time to talk to your pediatrician.
What can I do at home if my child is slow to talk?
Talk to them a lot and slowly, name what you do, read together, sing and cut screen time. Ear education trains sound discrimination; it’s a support, not a substitute for a professional evaluation.
Who should I turn to for a possible speech delay?
Your first point of contact is the pediatrician, who can refer you to a speech-language pathologist to evaluate and, if needed, intervene. The earlier a real difficulty is spotted, the more effective the support.