The Importance of Speech and Language Development for Children
Speech and language development is a critical step in building a child’s communication, self-expression and literacy skills. While all children develop speech and language skills at different rates, it’s natural for parents to worry – especially if your child seems to be speaking less, mispronouncing words, or struggling to put words together into sentences. This article will walk you through important stages in speech and language development to help you understand when extra support might be helpful.
The Difference Between Speech Development and Language Development
Firstly, it is important to differentiate between the two terms ‘speech’ and ‘language’.
- Speech (opens in a new tab) refers to the actual sounds made through spoken word or oral expression. This is the way the child vocalises their sounds and pronounces their words (articulation, voice and fluency).
- Language, however, refers to the ability of the child to both understand and express language. The child’s understanding of language is used to communicate through the words they choose to share ideas or to get what they want. This understanding also effects the way they interpret and follow instructions (opens in a new tab) from others.
Speech and language both have a profound effect on a child’s learning, behaviour, social interaction, academic success and ability to communicate.
For more information about the difference between Speech and Language and how our speech pathologists help with both, download our FREE Speech Therapy Guide (opens in a new tab).
Milestones for Speech and Language Development
For worried parents, a good place to explore your concern is by familiarising yourself with the ‘typical’ milestones for speech and language development for your child’s age group. Keep in mind that every child is different, and it’s perfectly normal for children to take varying amounts of time to pronounce certain sounds clearly or grasp the rules of language. The developmental milestones account for a wide range of differences between children who may be at different levels, but both still fall within the normal range. It may also be important to note that girls typically develop earlier in speech than boys do. This doesn’t mean that boys are delayed, but can often develop later within the expected range.
To help make speech and language milestones easier to recognise, we’ve prepared an easy-to-use Speech and Language Milestones Checklist. Download this checklist to learn what typical speech and language development may look like in children aged 0-6 years so you can identify where your child may need more support.
Speech Development Milestones
According to Speech Pathology Australia (opens in a new tab), speech development milestones provide a guide to how clearly children should be understood as they grow. These milestones show the typical progression of clarity and sound production, from first words through to mastering trickier sounds like r and th.
Language Development Milestones
Speech Pathology Australia (opens in a new tab) also highlights important language development milestones, which reflect how children understand and use words, sentences, and social communication skills as they develop. These milestones help parents recognise whether their child’s language is on track or may need support.
The chart below combines speech and language milestones side by side, giving parents a clear overview of what’s expected at different ages.
| Age | Speech Development Milestones | Language Development Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | Understood around 25% of the time | Responds to their name, understands up to 10 words, uses gestures (pointing, raising arms), babbles and copies noises |
| 18 months | Understood around 25–50% of the time. Begins to use reduplicated sounds (e.g. “ba-ba”), imitates simple words. | Understands up to 50 words, says 5–20 words, follows simple one-step instructions, names familiar objects and body parts |
| 2 years | Understood up to 50% of the time. Sounds beginning: p, b, m, d, n, h, t, k, g, w, ng, f, y | Uses 50+ words, combines two words (for example: mummy up), understands “what” and “where” questions, follows two-part instructions, uses my/mine |
| 3 years | Understood up to 75% of the time | Follows more complex instructions, answers “what,” “where” and “who” questions, speaks in short sentences |
| 4 years | Understood up to 100% of the time. Sounds developing: l, j, ch, s, v, sh, z | Uses longer sentences, understands “wh” questions, uses pronouns (he, you), begins describing recent events |
| 5 years | Sounds developing: r, zh, voiced th (for example: then, that) | Follows three-step instructions, uses correct past/future tense, tells simple stories |
| 6 years | Sounds developing: voiceless th (for example: thing, think) | Understands more complex language, uses detailed sentences, retells stories in sequence, understands opposites and multiple meanings |
How to Support Early Speech and Language Development
Children learn to communicate through everyday interactions with parents, educators, and friends. When families and professionals work together, children are more likely to build strong speech and language skills.
Simple ways parents can encourage speech and language development:
- Talk to your child from birth. Describe what you’re doing and make playful sounds and faces.
- Play interactive games like peek-a-boo and sing nursery rhymes together.
- Look at picture books and chat about what you see, even if you’re not reading the words.
- Speak slowly and clearly, using short sentences. If your child is talking, model slightly longer sentences than they use.
- Follow your child’s lead in conversations and gently expand on their ideas.
- Give them plenty of time to respond when you ask a question.
Things to avoid:
- Avoid putting pressure on your child with testing questions (like “What’s this?”). Children learn better without pressure.
- Don’t criticise mispronunciations. Instead, repeat the word correctly in your response.
- Try to limit background noise (like TV), so your child can focus on listening and joining in.
In this video, our speech pathologist Penny Toscano shares simple strategies for supporting early language development (birth to 2 years) that you can try at home.
Signs of Speech and Language Difficulties
If your child isn’t meeting milestones, they may have a speech delay, language delay, or another condition like a speech disorder, language disorder, stuttering, or apraxia of speech.
Speech Delay
A speech delay is when a child is developing speech sounds in the same general order as typical milestones but at a later stage than is expected. Some children may need some extra time to learn the skills to make speech sounds but sometimes a speech delay can be a sign of another underlying concern so if you’re concerned, it’s important to seek help early.
Language Delay
A language delay is when a child is learning to understand, use words and put together sentences at a slower rate than what is typically expected. They might have trouble following instructions, learning new words and expressing themselves.
Speech Disorder
A speech disorder is when a child has difficulty making specific sounds correctly, such as saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.” or makes consistent or unusual errors in their speech. They may be able to understand and use language appropriately, but they are difficult to understand because of their challenges with making the sounds correctly.
Language Disorder
A language disorder is when a child has ongoing difficulties understanding what others say or expressing themselves with words and sentences. It’s more than just being a “late talker” and can make learning and everyday communication harder without extra support.
Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia of speech is when your child knows what they want to say, but their brain has trouble telling their mouth how to move the right way, so words can come out unclear or inconsistent.
Stuttering
Stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech disorder often identified by frequent involuntary repetitions, stretched out sounds (prolongations), and extended pauses (blocks) in speech. The child knows the words; the challenge is in the flow of speaking.
Stuttering is often a normal part of early speech development when children are learning rapidly, but if it persists for several months, early support can help your child build confidence and communication skills. To learn more about how stuttering can affect children and how parents can help, download our Stuttering in Children Fact Sheet.
Some signs of speech and language difficulties to look out for in your child include:
- Most people, including yourself have difficulty understanding them
- They have trouble communicating with and understanding others
- Your child has a smaller vocabulary than same age peers
- They have frequent tantrums and arguments with others due to misunderstandings
- People think your child is younger because of the way they speak
- They have overly slow speech
- They have difficulty answering questions from others
- Your child gets teased by others because of the way they talk
- They struggle with reading, writing and/or preliteracy skills
- Your child has hearing problems
- They have been diagnosed with auditory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder or a developmental delay.
- Your child stutters “I want, I want, I want the ball” or “p-p-please”
How Can I Help my Child with Their Speech and Language?
You can play a big part in supporting your child’s speech and language development. Here are a few helpful strategies:
- Show more interest in what they are saying rather than how they are saying it
- Role model the correct way to speak instead of correcting them directly. For example, if your child says “I goed to the beach today”, you can just reply with “Oh, you went to the beach today. How was it?”
- Praise your child when they tell you something.
- Speak face to face with your child so they can watch how your face, mouth, lips and tongue move when you speak
- Encourage and support your child to speak for themselves during outings e.g., when making a purchase, saying thank-you to adults, buying a movie ticket or asking for help.
- Support your child to have daily conversations with a variety of different people
- Read many different types of books and have conversations about the characters, plot or message. Ask different types of questions such as ‘where’, ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘why’.
- Use singing and nursery rhymes to encourage imitation of sounds
- Encourage your child to ask questions when they don’t understand
What Should I do if I think my Child Needs Support with Speech or Language?
If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, trust your instincts and seek support early. Early intervention can make a big difference to your child’s confidence, learning, and relationships.
It’s also important to consider your child’s hearing. Even mild or temporary hearing difficulties (such as recurring ear infections) can affect how children learn sounds, words, and language. A hearing check can help rule out underlying issues and ensure your child gets the right support as early as possible.
Why Early Support Matters
Some children do catch up on their own, but waiting too long can mean missed opportunities for support. Getting help early gives children the best chance to build strong foundations for reading, writing, academic success, and positive social connections. With the guidance of a speech pathologist and the support of loving, patient adults, children can steadily grow the skills they need for future success.
Where to Start
- Speak with your GP or child health nurse – they can refer you to a speech pathologist.
- A speech pathology assessmen (opens in a new tab)t will provide:
- Insights into your child’s strengths and challenges
- Recommendations on whether intervention is needed
If your child is about to start school, a Preschool Speech and Language Screener with one of our friendly speech pathologists is a great first step. It can give you clarity on whether your child may benefit from speech therapy.
Funding Options for Speech Therapy Support
If your child does need speech therapy support, there may be some fee relief available through:
- Medicare – children may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management Plan (arranged by a GP), which can provide rebates for a set number of allied health sessions each year.
- Private health funds – depending on your level of cover.
- NDIS – if your child meets eligibility criteria.
With the right support, children with speech delays, language disorders, or other communication challenges can gain the skills they need to thrive – both now and in the future.
