Language and Speech Skills for Children Ages 1–2 Years

What are language and speech skills?

Language is how your child understands and uses words. Speech is how your child makes sounds to form words. These skills help your child understand and communicate with others. 

Children learn these skills early in life. Between the ages of 1 and 2 years, you may see big changes in how your child listens, understands, makes sounds, and starts to talk. 

Language and speech milestones (ages 1–2 years) 

Milestones are skills that many children can do by a certain age. Each child develops at their own pace. Most follow a similar pattern of early childhood development.  

By age 2 years, many children: 

• Understand words, directions, and short stories 
  • Point to parts of the body or pictures in a book when you name them 
  • Follow 1 to 2 step directions, such as “Roll the ball.” 
  • Understand simple action words, such as "stop" and "go" 
  • Listen to simple stories, songs, and rhymes 
• Use words and sounds  
  • Use about 50 words or more by age 2 years 
  • Ask simple questions, such as "What's that?" 
  • Put 2 words together, such as "more juice"  
  • Repeat words and sounds they hear  
  • Try new sounds at the start of words, such as saying "g" in the word "go" 
  • Use sounds when playing  
  • Use gestures, such as pointing or waving 

How to help your child learn language and speech skills

You can help your child develop language and speech skills in many ways. The most helpful moments often happen when talking and playing. 

To help your child: 

Model clear speech 

• Use clear, correct words instead of baby talk. 
• Say the word the right way if your child makes a mistake. 
• Name objects using their correct names. 
• Talk about what you are doing and what you see.  
• Use simple words and sentences your child can copy. 

Build on your child’s words and sounds 

• Repeat and expand on what your child says. For example, if your child says "dog," you can say, "You're right! That is a big dog." 
• Respond to sounds and words. For example, if your child says "Baba" and reaches for the bottle, you can say, "Yes, that’s your bottle." 

Talk, read, and sing every day 

• Read books with simple pictures and short sentences. Point to and name things you see on the page. 
• Let your child turn pages and look through the story at their own pace. 

Explore sounds through play and daily life 

• Take “sound walks” and notice everyday noises. Talk about sounds, such as footsteps on the floor and birds singing. 
• Use sounds during play time. For example, make sounds like a boat during bath time. 
• Encourage your child to copy sounds. 
• Sing or talk to your child and use new words to build their skills. 
• Talk with your child. Ask them questions to make them think and speak more. 

Signs of language or speech problems in children

Some children reach language and speech milestones later than expected. Illness, treatment, or changes in routine can affect development, including communication skills.   

Talk with your care team if your child has: 

• Trouble understanding or using words 
• Delayed language or speech milestones 
• Trouble making sounds 
• Slurred speech or stuttering 
• Trouble sucking, chewing, or swallowing 
• Weak control of their lips, tongue, or jaw  
• Speech that is hard to understand 
• Lack of interest in interacting with others 

Signs of hearing loss in children

Hearing loss can delay language and speech skills. Watch for signs that your child does not hear well.  

Children with hearing problems may: 

• Have trouble recognizing the sound of your voice 
• Not respond when you speak or say their name 
• Sleep through loud sounds 
• Make fewer sounds to get attention 
• Show little interest in music or noisy toys 
• Have trouble copying sounds they hear 
• Turn their head to hear better with 1 ear 
• Have speech delays  
• Have balance problems 

Also watch for frequent ear problems or infections. If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, talk with your health care provider. They may refer your child to an audiologist for a hearing test. An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in hearing, listening, and balance. 

Therapy for language and speech problems

If your child has problems with language or speech skills, your health care provider may recommend speech-language therapy. 

A speech-language pathologist (sometimes called a speech therapist or SLP) is a trained health professional who helps children build communication skills. They assess speech and language skills and create a therapy plan for your child. They can also share ways to practice skills at home. 

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