Toddler Talk: Speech and Language Milestones from 13-18 Months
Your little one is growing fast, and so is their ability to understand and communicate! Between 13 and 18 months, toddlers make huge strides in speech and language. Understanding what’s typical can help you support their development and celebrate their progress. Here’s what to expect, how to help, and when to seek support, if needed. The following milestones are based on guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
What Your Child Understands (Receptive Language)
1. Looks Around When Asked a “Where” Question
If you ask, “Where’s your teddy?” your child may look around the room to find it, demonstrating an understanding of simple questions.
How to Support:
Play hide-and-seek with toys: “Where’s the ball?”
Use picture books: “Where’s the puppy?” and encourage them to point.
2. Follows Simple Directions
Your child may start following basic commands, such as “Give me the cup.”
How to Support:
Pair words with gestures: “Clap your hands” while demonstrating.
Give simple, everyday instructions like “Come here” or “Sit down” and of course you can use gestures, too.
3. Understands Words for Common Objects, Some Actions, and People
Your child recognizes words for familiar items, actions, and people, such as “dog,” “eat,” or “Grandma.”
How to Support:
Label objects during daily routines: “Here’s your spoon.”
Use action words while playing: “Let’s jump!”
Point to and name family members in photos.
4. Identifies One or More Body Parts
Your child may start pointing to their nose, eyes, or hands when asked.
How to Support:
Sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.”
Label body parts during bath time: “Let’s wash your belly.”
How Your Child May Express Themselves (Expressive Language)
1. Points to Make Requests, Comment, or Get Information
Your child may point to indicate what they want, draw attention to something, or ask about an object.
How to Support:
Acknowledge what they are showing you by also pointing to the named or desired object and name what they point to: “Oh, that’s a truck!” or “Ah, you want a drink?”
2. Shakes Head for “No” and Nods Head for “Yes”
Your child may begin using head movements to indicate agreement or disagreement.
How to Support:
Model these gestures in conversation. For example, if you say “Do you want your blanket?” If they reach toward the blanket, model by saying “yes” and also nodding your head; if that’s not what they want you would say “No blanket” and shake your head.
3. Uses Words for Common Objects, Some Actions, and People
Your child may start using simple words like “mama,” “ball,” or “bye-bye.”
How to Support:
Model words for objects, actions, and people during play and in routines.
4. Uses Gestures When Excited (Clapping, High-Fives, Making Funny Faces)
Your child may use gestures to express excitement and engagement.
How to Support:
Model these gestures during interactions.
Celebrate achievements with claps and high-fives.
Encourage facial expressions by making and mirroring faces.
5. Uses Jargon with Speech-Like Inflection
Your child may use long strings of sounds with varied pitch and tone, resembling real speech. This is known as jargon and is a normal part of language development.
What to Watch For:
Jargon should begin to fade around 18 months as more real words emerge. If your child is still primarily using jargon instead of words, consider consulting a speech-language pathologist.
Fun Fact: 16 Gestures by 16 Months
Gestures play an important role in early communication. Research suggests that by 16 months, children should use at least 16 different gestures, such as waving, pointing, clapping, and blowing kisses. Limited gestures may indicate a need for further language support.
When to Seek Help
If your toddler isn’t pointing, using gestures, or beginning to say words by 18 months, talk to your pediatrician and reach out to a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can provide valuable support for language development.
By being aware of these milestones and engaging with your child through everyday interactions, you can help them build strong communication skills that will continue to grow over time.
