Yearly Milestones
1-2 Years
Speech & Sound Development
Social & Play
Skills
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Uses early speech sounds: p, b, m, n, d, h, w
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Begins combining consonant + vowel sounds (“ba,” “da,” “ma”)
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Attempts simple words
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Uses changes in pitch to express excitement or emotion
Language Development
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Uses 2–6+ words around 12–15 months
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Vocabulary grows to ~50 words by 18–24 months
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Points to request or show objects
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Uses gestures like waving, reaching, or shaking head “no”
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Understands simple directions (“come here,” “get the ball”)
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Engages in simple back-and-forth play
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Responds to name
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Shows interest in people and familiar routines
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Brings objects to show caregivers
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Imitates actions before imitating sounds or words
Motor & Everyday Skills
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Feeds self with fingers and begins using utensils
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Walks independently and explores the environment
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Points with index finger
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Stacks a few blocks or explores toys in different ways
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Begins helping with simple routines (holding arms out for dressing)
Understanding “Averages” vs. “Milestones”
Many parents compare their toddler’s speech to milestone charts, but milestones and averages are not the same.
Milestone = what 90% of children can do
Average = what about 50% of children can do
Example:
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At 24 months, the milestone is 50 words
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But the average is 200–300 words
A toddler with 40–50 words may appear “close to the milestone,” but may still be far below the average — meaning early support can be helpful.
Common Reasons Families
Seek Therapy
These concerns are very common—and early support can
make a meaningful difference.
Late Talking
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Small vocabulary for age
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Slow progress learning new words
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Not combining words
Speech Sound Concerns
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Speech is hard to understand
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Sounds are dropped (“ca” for “cat”)
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Limited variety of consonant sounds
Feeding Concerns
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Difficulty chewing
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Gagging on textures
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Limited food variety
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Difficulty transitioning to table foods
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Difficulty feeding self with fingers or utensils
Social/Play Concerns
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Limited imitation
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Prefers to play alone
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Limited pretend play
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Limited response to name or interaction
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Not pointing, showing, or sharing objects
Motor & Daily Skills Concerns
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Using one hand much more than the other
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Difficulty with self-feeding or early utensils
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Difficulty calming or regulating emotions
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Challenges with transitions between activities
Behavior Related to Communication
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Meltdowns when not understood
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Increased frustration during communication
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Difficulty expressing wants or needs
FAQs
Early communication skills develop quickly during the toddler years, and many parents have questions as language, play, and understanding begin to emerge. Below are answers to common questions families ask during early development.
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Don't Navigate Alone
If you’re noticing challenges with your toddler’s communication, feeding, or daily routines, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team is here to listen, answer questions, and help guide next steps with care.
