Noticing Early Signs of Speech and Language Difficulties in Young Children

As a parent or carer, you know your child best. You notice the little things — the way they smile, how they play, and the words they try to use. Sometimes, you might wonder if your child is developing their communication skills in the way you expected. This is completely normal — and a great first step in supporting their development.

It's important to remember that children learn to talk at different paces. However, being tuned into your child’s communication can help you spot if they may benefit from some extra support with their language skills.

What to Expect in the Early Speech and Language Development

Here are some general communication milestones to look out for — drawn from approaches like Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk®, which supports parents to be active partners in their child’s communication journey:

By around 12 months, your child might:

• Use babbling sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da”

• Respond to their name

• Show interest in people and objects around them

  
  

By 18 months, you might notice:

• Some single words like “mummy”, “car”, or “more”

• Pointing or using gestures to show you what they want

• Starting to follow simple instructions like “get your shoes”

  
  

By 2 years, many children will:

• Put two words together, e.g. “more juice”, “daddy gone”

• Enjoy looking at books and naming pictures

• Understand simple questions like “Where’s teddy?”

  
  

If your child isn’t quite doing some of these things yet, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. Some children need a bit more time, and others may benefit from some focused support to help them along the way.

What Might Speech and Language Difficulties Look Like?

Some children with language difficulties may:

• Use fewer words than expected for their age

• Struggle to put words together into phrases or sentences

• Have difficulty understanding what others say

• Rely more on gestures than spoken words

Language difficulties can affect how children connect with others, join in with play, or express their ideas — but with the right support, children can make great progress.

How You Can Help your child's Speech and Language Development

You are your child’s best communication partner. The Hanen approach reminds us that everyday moments are perfect opportunities for learning. Here are three simple ways you can support your child’s language:

1. Follow your child’s lead – Join in with what they’re interested in. This keeps communication meaningful and fun.

   
   

2. Create opportunities to talk – Pause and wait after speaking to give your child a chance to respond or take a turn.

   
   

3. Add language – If your child says “car”, you might say, “Yes, red car! The car is going fast!”

These small tweaks to everyday interactions can make a big difference.

When to Seek Support for Speech, Language and Communication Needs

If you're unsure about how your child’s communication is developing, it's okay to ask for help. A qualified Speech and Language Therapist can offer guidance, reassurance, and, if needed, tailored support to help your child flourish.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’m here to support both you and your child, with gentle, play-based approaches that make learning to communicate joyful and positive.