Speech & Language Milestones:
What parents need to know!
As parents, it’s natural to wonder whether your child’s speech and language skills are on track. Understanding typical communication milestones can help you know when to encourage, when to wait, and when to seek guidance from a qualified Speech-Language Pathologist.
This guide outlines key speech and language milestones from birth to 5 years, along with signs that your child may benefit from speech therapy.
Why Speech and Language Milestones Matter
Speech and language are connected to every part of a child’s development—play, social skills, emotional regulation, literacy, even confidence. Early support can make a significant difference, and research consistently shows that early intervention leads to the best long-term outcomes.
Whether your child is learning one language or growing up bilingual, the milestones below still apply.
Milestones by Age
0–12 Months
What’s typical:
Reacts to sounds and voices
Makes cooing and babbling sounds
Smiles socially
Recognises familiar people
Uses eye contact and facial expressions
Begins to use gestures (reaching, pointing, waving)
When to seek support:
Limited eye contact
No babbling by 9 months
No gestures by 12 months
Little response to sounds
12–18 Months
Typical skills:
Says 5–20 single words
Understands simple directions (“come here”, “give me”)
Points to objects or pictures
Imitates sounds and gestures
Uses play actions (feeding a doll, pushing a car)
Seek support if:
Less than 5–10 words by 18 months
Limited pretend play
Not pointing or showing things
Only communicates through crying or pulling adults
18–24 Months
Typical skills:
Has 50+ words
Begins to combine words (“more juice”, “mummy go”)
Follows simple two-step instructions
Enjoys simple pretend play
Uses different consonant sounds (b, p, m, d, t)
Seek support if:
Fewer than 20 words at 24 months
No two-word combinations
Frustration or tantrums due to difficulty communicating
2–3 Years
Typical skills:
Vocabulary explodes to 200–500 words
Uses short sentences
Asks questions (“what’s that?”)
Speech is understood about 70% of the time
Plays alongside and begins playing with others
Seek support if:
Hard to understand most of the time
Limited sentences or vocabulary
Few social interactions with peers
Very unclear speech (dropping sounds, slurring, mumbling)
3–5 Years
Typical skills:
Uses longer sentences and clear grammar
Speech is 90–100% understandable by 4 years
Tells simple stories
Understands turn-taking in conversation
Identifies colours, basic concepts, and follows multi-step instructions
Seek support if:
Speech is still difficult to understand
Struggles to form sentences
Difficulty following instructions
Challenges with play, interaction, or early literacy skills
🧩 When Should Parents Reach Out for Help?
Trust your gut. If something feels “off,” early assessment can provide clarity and reassurance. Speech therapy is recommended when a child:
Is late to talk
Has unclear speech
Struggles with social communication
Has difficulty following instructions
Has behavioural frustration linked to communication
Shows signs of stuttering
Is bilingual and not progressing in either language
Early support is never wasted — and it can change the trajectory of a child’s development.
🌟 How Bali Speech & Language Centre Can Help
As experienced Speech-Language Pathologists, we provide:
✔ Comprehensive assessments
✔ Individual therapy programs
✔ Parent coaching
✔ Toddler and preschool communication programs
✔ Early intervention
✔ Bilingual language support
✔ Online sessions for Australian, Asian, and international families
Your child’s communication journey matters — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Book an Assessment or Ask a Question
Whether you’re in Bali or anywhere in the world, you can reach out for guidance. Book an appointment or send us a message on WhatsApp for faster replies!
