Becoming a Toddler (12 to 18 months)
Your little one is becoming a toddler and is curious about everything around him/her. Take the opportunity through play, reading and music to encourage your child’s speech and language development.
By 15 months, most children will
- take turns making sounds
- say 2 or 3 words, but not clearly
- understand "no" and shake their head
- reach or point to something they want while making a sound
- understand simple questions or directions like "where is your nose?", "show me your shoe"
By 18 months, most children will
- understand words and point to parts of their bodies like "nose, ear"
- look for things when asked to, like "get your hat"
- make new gestures and/or words like you do
- make gestures or ask for "more" or "again"
- use at least 20 words
How YOU can help your child’s speech and language grow
- show new objects and toys to your child - talk about what you and your child are doing - use short sentences
- play with your child using the toys he/she likes
- read lots of books together, but don't worry about reading all the words - talk about what your child is interested in
- pay attention to what your child is saying instead of how he/she is saying it - his/her speech won't be clear yet
- don't just get what your child wants; wait for your child to ask
- if your child doesn't say a word properly, repeat it the right way without correcting him
- don't use "baby talk" - use real words
- use words to label objects, actions and describe how things look, feel, taste and sound
when to call for help
- Your child does not make sounds or gestures like you do.
- Your child started to use words, but stopped.
- Your child does not use any words.