Addressing language problems early is important, but it also is important to remember that children develop at different speeds. A toddler who shows a language delay compared to a sibling or another child the same age might simply be developing in other areas. You should be aware of important milestones in speech and language, but don't overreact if your child temporarily seems behind.
Speech vs. Language
Although often used interchangeably, speech and language are not the same. Language is the ability to communicate; it includes gestures, writing, expressions and other methods of sending a message. Speech is a type of language using verbalization. A child who repeats words when spoken but doesn't form independent sentences could have a language delay. A child who is unable to speak clearly but learns to write or use sign language has a speech delay.
12 to 18 Months
Around their first birthday, most children are using a few words, usually nouns, and can understand simple sentences. This is a point where language development surpasses speech development. If you say, "Give me the ball," your child should understand. To express the same concept, he points to the toy and says, "Ball." Toddlers at this age use nonverbal communication over words. They gaze at a desired object, reach out to be picked up or tug at a dirty diaper.
18 to 24 months
A typical child starts this phase able to speak around two dozen words, and more than doubles that total by her second birthday. As your child learn verbs and adjectives, she begins to create two-word sentences. She understands longer sentences and can follow more-complex instructions.
24 to 36 Months
Toddlers experience a tremendous leap in speech and language development during the third year. Vocabulary grows explosively, and children master all parts of speech such as prepositions. Sentences become less fragmented, and their understanding of adult speech improves as well. Your child begins to understand comparisons such as big vs. small, and can identify colors. Speech development accelerates as new concepts build on old ones. Children develop faster in the second half of the third year than they do in the first.
When to See a Doctor
Toddlers build a huge array of skills, and your child might show a temporary language delay while developing quickly in another area, but then make up the delay later. However there are a few warning signs of potentially serious problems. If your child is not verbalizing and paying attention to speech by age 1, a doctor should check him for hearing loss. You also should see your doctor if your child is not using gestures by age 1 and imitating words by 18 months, or if he suddenly loses interest in speech. After the age of 2, any toddler who is not forming independent speech and cannot follow simple instructions should see a doctor. You also can talk about any concerns you have with your pediatrician during your child's normal checkups.
