Is my toddler a late talker?

A 'late talker' is generally a toddler who has fewer words than typical for their age but shows no other developmental concerns. Many late talkers catch up by the age of three or four. If your child has fewer than 6 words at 18 months, or fewer than 50 words and no two-word phrases by 24 months, it is worth raising with your GP or health visitor. Early referral to a speech and language therapist is recommended because there is no downside to acting early.

How do I help my toddler's language development?

The most powerful things you can do are: talk constantly and narrate your daily routine, read picture books together every day and point to and name things, sing songs and nursery rhymes, respond warmly to your child's babble and attempts at words, and limit screens for children under 18 months as recommended by the AAP. Face-to-face back-and-forth conversation, even when it is just sounds, is the richest input for language growth.

Should I worry if my bilingual toddler has fewer words?

Bilingual children often have fewer words in each individual language, but their total vocabulary across both languages is typically on track. The language milestones apply per language, so it is not accurate to add the two together when comparing to the AAP numbers. If you are worried, a speech and language therapist experienced with bilingual children can assess your child in both languages.

When should I seek speech and language therapy for my toddler?

Seek advice from your GP, health visitor, or paediatrician if your toddler: has fewer than 6 words at 18 months; is not combining two words by 24 months; did not point to objects by 12 to 14 months; loses words or skills they already had; or does not respond consistently to their name. You can also self-refer to NHS speech and language therapy in many areas. Waiting lists can be long, so the earlier you refer, the sooner your child can be seen.

Language development at 18 to 24 months: words, phrases and when to seek support

Q: How many words should an 18-month-old have?

The AAP 2022 milestone guidelines state that 6 words is the minimum expected by 18 months. In practice, many toddlers this age have between 10 and 25 words. What matters most is a clear upward trend and strong understanding of language, even if spoken words are still few.

Q: What is the vocabulary explosion?

Many toddlers go through a 'vocabulary explosion' or 'word spurt' between about 18 and 20 months. Words that seemed to be coming slowly suddenly multiply, sometimes by several new words per day. This reflects the brain making rapid connections between sounds and meanings. Not every child has a dramatic leap and that is also normal.

18 to 24 months · Development · Updated July 2026 · All articles

You are listening for words. Maybe you count them in the bath, or replay a sound your toddler made and wonder whether it qualifies. Anxiety about speech is one of the most common things parents search for in the second year, and it makes complete sense. Language is so tied up in connection and understanding that any uncertainty about it feels enormous.

The good news is that the range of what is typical is wide, progress is rarely linear, and there is a lot you can do to support your child right now. This article covers what to expect between 18 and 24 months, what is genuinely worth flagging, and when to reach for support.

What to expect at 18 months

The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its developmental milestone guidelines in 2022 to reflect what most children can do, rather than just the very earliest achievers. Under those guidelines, 6 words is what is expected by 18 months. This is a meaningful shift: earlier versions of the guidance used broader or more ambiguous language, so if you are reading older resources, you may see different numbers.

In practice, many 18-month-olds have between 10 and 25 words, and some have more. Words at this age do not have to be perfectly pronounced. "Baba" for bottle, "da" for dog, or "mo" for more all count, as long as your child uses them consistently and intentionally to mean something.

Alongside spoken words, your toddler at 18 months is likely to:

Point to things they want or find interesting
Point to pictures in books when you name them
Follow simple one-step instructions ("Give me the ball")
Use sounds and gestures alongside words to communicate
Understand far more than they can say

That last point is important enough to return to in its own section.

What to expect at 24 months

By two years old, most toddlers have a vocabulary of 50 or more words and are beginning to combine two words together. Two-word combinations often start appearing from around 18 months and tend to be well established by 24 months. You might hear things like "more milk", "daddy go", "big dog", "no bath", or "where ball?"

At 24 months, about 50% of what your toddler says should be understandable to someone who does not know them well. Their own family will likely understand more, because you have learned their patterns and sounds. A stranger or a clinician at a routine check-up may follow about half of it, and that is within the typical range.

Between 18 and 24 months you will also probably notice your toddler:

Using words more reliably and consistently
Starting to refer to themselves by name
Asking for things by name rather than just pointing or crying
Following two-step instructions ("Go get your shoes and bring them here")
Enjoying simple pretend play, which is closely linked to language development

The vocabulary explosion

Many toddlers go through what researchers call a vocabulary explosion or word spurt, typically somewhere between 18 and 20 months. If your child had a small, slow-moving word list and then suddenly seemed to add several new words a day, this is what is happening. Their brain has reached a point where it can map sounds to meanings quickly, and it runs with it.

Not every child has a dramatic leap. Some build vocabulary more gradually throughout this whole period. Both patterns are normal. What matters is that the direction is forward, not that the pace matches anyone else's timetable.

Receptive language versus expressive language

Language development has two sides that often confuse parents because they move at different speeds.

Receptive language is what your child understands. Can they follow instructions? Do they look when you name something? Do they point when you ask "where is the cat?" Receptive language is almost always ahead of expressive language.

Expressive language is what your child produces: words, sounds, gestures, and eventually phrases. This is what parents tend to count and compare.

A toddler who clearly understands a great deal but says only a handful of words is in a very different position from a toddler who seems to have little language on either side. Strong receptive language is genuinely reassuring and is worth paying attention to, not just the word count.

That said, receptive language being ahead does not cancel out a need for support if expressive language is significantly behind. Both matter, and a speech and language therapist will assess both.

Bilingual toddlers and language milestones

If your family uses two languages, you may have noticed that your toddler has fewer words in each one than you would expect from the milestone numbers. This is typical and expected. The milestones apply per language, not across both combined.

What matters is that your child's total vocabulary across both languages is tracking roughly in the right direction. A bilingual toddler who has 10 words in English and 10 in Tamil has 20 words in their expressive repertoire, and that is meaningful context even though it does not translate directly to the milestone numbers.

Keep using both languages at home. Research consistently shows that bilingualism does not cause language delay, and early exposure to two languages has long-term cognitive and social benefits. If you are concerned, seek out a speech and language therapist who has experience assessing bilingual children, and ask for them to consider both languages.

Red flags worth flagging to a GP or health visitor

The list below describes things that are worth raising, not things that are guaranteed to signal a problem. Many children who hit one of these markers go on to develop language entirely typically with or without support. The reason to flag them is that early assessment is more useful than late assessment, and there is no cost to asking.

Fewer than 6 words at 18 months. This is below the AAP 2022 expected minimum and is worth discussing at the 18-month well visit or with your health visitor.
No two-word combinations by 24 months. Single words alone at two years is a sign that speech and language therapy referral is warranted.
Not pointing by 12 to 14 months. Pointing is a joint attention skill and is strongly linked to language development. If your child did not develop it by this age, mention it even if they are now in the 18 to 24 month window.
Loss of words or skills they already had. This is always worth flagging promptly, regardless of age. Regression in language can occasionally indicate something that needs attention sooner rather than later.
Not responding consistently to their name. A child who does not reliably turn when called by name needs to be checked, partly for hearing and partly for other developmental reasons.

None of these flags means something is definitely wrong. They are prompts to have a conversation with a professional, not a diagnosis.

How to support your toddler's language development

The most powerful thing you can give your child is a rich, responsive language environment. That does not require flashcards or structured lessons. It mostly means being present and talking.

Narrate your day

Talk through everything you are doing together. "Now we are washing your hands. The water is warm. Here is the soap." This kind of running commentary exposes your child to vocabulary in context, which is how language sticks. You do not need to do it every second, just naturally, as things happen.

Read books together every day

Daily shared book reading is one of the most evidence-backed things you can do for language development. At this age, you do not need to follow the story text carefully. Point to pictures and name them. Let your child point and wait to see what you say. Ask simple questions: "Where is the dog? What is the dog doing?" Return to favourite books repeatedly. Repetition is learning.

Sing and do nursery rhymes

Songs are linguistically rich in a way that feels effortless. They introduce rhythm, repetition, and new vocabulary in short bursts. Nursery rhymes in particular have been used for this purpose for hundreds of years because they work. It does not matter if you are not a confident singer.

Respond to babble and attempts

When your toddler babbles, babble back. When they attempt a word, confirm it warmly and extend it slightly. If they say "buh" while reaching for a book, you might say "Yes, the book! You want the book. Here it is." This kind of back-and-forth is called a conversational turn, and the number of turns a child has in a day is closely linked to language outcomes.

Limit screens, especially under 18 months

The AAP recommends avoiding screen media other than video calls for children under 18 months. Between 18 and 24 months, if you do use screens, choosing high-quality programmes and watching together so you can talk about what you see makes a difference. Passive screen time does not give toddlers what they need for language development: a real, responsive person does.

Wait and give space

It can be tempting to fill silences or anticipate your toddler's needs before they communicate them. But leaving a pause after you say something, or waiting for them to initiate, gives them the space to try. They learn language by using it, and using it requires a gap.

Speech and language therapy: how to access it

Speech and language therapists (often called SALT or SLT) assess and support children whose language is not developing as expected. In the UK, you can access SALT through your GP or health visitor referral, and many NHS areas also accept self-referrals. In the US, your child's paediatrician can refer you, and early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provide free assessment and therapy for eligible children under three.

Waiting lists for NHS SALT can be long in many areas, which is a frustrating reality. This is precisely why early referral is a better approach than waiting to see. If you refer at 18 months and your child's language has taken off by the time they are seen, the therapist will simply discharge them. Nothing is lost. If they do need support, they will be further along in the system.

While you wait, the activities above are genuinely useful. A SALT appointment will also often include a home programme of strategies tailored to your child. Talking Point (talkingpoint.org.uk) has excellent free resources for parents in the UK, including an interactive guide to what to expect at each age.

Late talkers and what happens next

Many children who are late to talk, without other signs of developmental differences, do catch up. Research suggests that a significant proportion of children with late talking as their only concern are speaking within the typical range by the time they are three or four years old. These children are sometimes called late bloomers.

However, it is not possible to predict from the outside which late talkers will catch up on their own and which will benefit from support. Early speech and language therapy has been shown to help, and there is no evidence that seeking it harms children who would have caught up anyway. The current clinical consensus, reflected in NHS and RCSLT guidance, is that early support is better than a wait-and-see approach.

If you have been told to "wait and see" but your instincts are telling you something is worth looking into, it is entirely reasonable to request a referral. You know your child best.

Log your toddler's first words as they come

Cubby lets you record milestones and notes so you have a clear picture to share at your 18-month or two-year health check.

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Frequently asked questions

How many words should an 18-month-old have?

The AAP 2022 guidelines say 6 words is the expected minimum by 18 months. Most toddlers this age have between 10 and 25 words. Words do not need to be perfectly pronounced as long as your child uses them consistently to mean something.

My child understands everything but barely talks. Should I be concerned?

Strong receptive language is a good sign. A child who follows instructions, points, and clearly understands what is happening around them is showing that the foundations are there. That said, if spoken words are fewer than 6 at 18 months or there are no two-word combinations by 24 months, it is worth checking in with your GP or health visitor, even if comprehension looks strong.

Does bilingualism cause speech delay?

No. Bilingualism does not cause speech delay. Bilingual toddlers may have fewer words in each individual language, but their total vocabulary across both is typically on track. If you are concerned, a speech and language therapist experienced with bilingual children can assess in both languages.

When should I ask for a speech and language therapy referral?

If your child has fewer than 6 words at 18 months, is not combining two words by 24 months, has lost words or skills they had, does not point, or does not respond consistently to their name, ask for a referral. You do not need to wait for a well visit. Waiting lists can be long so earlier is better.

What is the vocabulary explosion?

Many toddlers go through a rapid acceleration in new words somewhere between 18 and 20 months. This vocabulary explosion is common but not universal. Some children build vocabulary more gradually across the whole 18 to 24 month window and that is also normal.

Will my late talker catch up without help?

Many do, especially children whose only concern is fewer spoken words and who show no other developmental differences. But it is impossible to predict who will catch up on their own. Early speech and language therapy is low-risk and beneficial, and getting a referral does not commit you to anything. There is no downside to reaching out early.