When should my child start talking?

Parents often ask me, "When should my child start talking?" It's a great question and one that deserves a thorough answer.

There is a wide range of typical language development in children. Some children may start talking as early as 9 months old, while others may not begin speaking until they are 18 months old. However, most children will begin to say their first words between 10 and 12 months old and have around 200 words by the time they are 2.

There are important milestones in language development before first words. Babies begin to recognize and alert to sounds (0-3 months) before they make them intentionally (4-6 months). Babbling, like saying “mamamaaaama” or “babababa” (7-9 months) is followed by first words (10-12 months) like “dada” and “bye”.

There are a few things to keep in mind when determining if your child is on track with their language development. Consider…

— Overall development

Children who are delayed in other areas, such as gross motor skills, may also be delayed in their language development. Additionally, children who are exposed to multiple languages may develop language skills at a different rate than monolingual children.

— Hearing

Children who have hearing loss or other auditory processing disorders may have difficulty with language development. If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, it's important to have them evaluated by an audiologist.

— Slow, or different?

Children who are slow to develop language skills, but who are learning them in the expected order, are called “Late Talkers” and may have a language delay. They often catch up to their peers when identified early and given the right support.

Children who have trouble learning language, even with therapy, or who develop skills in an atypical order, may have a language disorder. This is like a learning disability for language and won’t go away over time. However, therapy helps them become successful learners and communicators by teaching self-awareness, self-advocacy, practical learning strategies, and providing explicit instruction of language skills.

If you have any concerns about your child's language development, it's always best to consult with a speech-language pathologist. They can evaluate your child's language skills and provide you with specific recommendations to develop their language abilities.

Reach out here if you are concerned or just have questions about your child’s speech and language development.

A quick phone call can give you peace of mind and help answer your questions like, “Is this normal?” and “What next steps do I need to take?”