Speech & Language Milestones by Age

What’s Typical, What’s Not, and When to Reach Out

Welcome to Pathways Developmental Therapy

Hi, I’m Angie Thudium — speech-language pathologist and owner of Pathways Developmental Therapy. Pathways is a place where kids feel seen, parents feel supported, and communication starts to click.

We’re a specialized pediatric speech therapy clinic based in Santa Monica, proudly serving families across Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and West LA. Our mission is to help children grow into confident, connected communicators — and to guide parents with practical, play-based strategies that make a real difference.

This guide breaks down common communication milestones for toddlers and preschoolers, with real-life examples, red flags to watch for, and what to do if you’re concerned.

Milestones by Age

By 18 Months

Most children can:

• Say 10–20 words
• Use gestures like pointing or waving
• Respond to their name
• Imitate simple words and sounds

Keep an Eye Out For:

• No imitation 
• Not saying any words
• Doesn’t respond to sounds or their name
• No eye contact or gestures

By Age 2

Most children can:

• Say at least 50 words
• Combine 2 words (e.g., “More juice,” “Mommy go”)
• Follow simple directions (“Get your shoes”)
• Use their voice to get attention

Keep an Eye Out For:

• Fewer than 50 words
• Not combining words
• Very difficult to understand, even to family

By Age 3

Most children can:

• Use 3–4 word sentences
• Ask basic questions (“Where’s Daddy?”)
• Be understood by familiar adults about 75% of the time
• Tell you what they want using words

Keep an Eye Out For:

• Still using mostly single words
• Strangers cannot understand them
• Struggles to follow directions

By Age 4

Most children can:

• Use full sentences with correct word order
• Talk about things that happened in the past
• Answer simple “why” or “how” questions
• Be understood most of the time, even by unfamiliar people

Keep an Eye Out For:

• Short or incomplete sentences
• Difficulty telling a simple story
• Trouble understanding directions with two steps

By Age 5

Most children can:

• Use detailed sentences and join ideas together
• Speak clearly most of the time
• Tell stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end
• Understand basic time concepts (“yesterday,” “tomorrow”)

Keep an Eye Out For:

• Struggles to retell events or stories
• Still hard to understand often
• Uses limited vocabulary for age

When to Take a Closer Look

Every child develops differently, but certain signs may mean your child could benefit from extra support.

Here are some things to keep an eye out for that might mean it’s worth a closer look:

• Not using words yet, or still using mostly single words
• Limited vocabulary — using the same words like “yeah,” “that,” or “there” for everything
• Hard to understand, even for familiar adults
• Drooling or mouth-breathing
• Doesn’t seem to understand directions or classroom routines
• Struggles to follow group activities after the first few months of school
• Limited pretend play — mostly throws toys or wanders
• Speech sounds that are slushy or unclear (like a lateral lisp)
• Rarely makes eye contact
• Doesn’t respond to their name
• Can’t look at something, listen, and respond all at once
• Difficulty staying focused or listening at home and in class
• Big reactions to small challenges — frequent meltdowns, hitting, or screaming when frustrated

If several of these sound familiar, you’re not overthinking it — and you’re not alone.

We’re Here to Help

Speech therapy isn’t just about pronunciation. It’s about helping your child understand and use language to connect, play, learn, and feel confident in their world.

If you’re feeling unsure, let’s talk. We’re happy to listen, guide you through next steps, and answer any questions.

👉 Schedule a free consultation

Pathways Developmental Therapy
Serving Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and the Westside of LA
www.pathwaysdt.com | 424-410-3410 | angie@pathwaysdt.com