Language Milestones from 12 to 36 Months: What Most Toddlers Understand and Say (Plus Red Flags)

A quick reminder before we start

Every child develops differently. Milestones are not a competition— they’re a roadmap. If your child misses one skill, it doesn’t automatically mean a disorder. But patterns (or multiple delays) deserve attention, because early support is one of the strongest predictors of better outcomes. (nidcd.nih.gov)

12 months: “First meaning” starts here

What many toddlers do by around 12 months:

• Try to copy speech sounds.

• Say a few words like “mama”, “dada”, “uh-oh”.

• Understand simple commands like “come here” (especially with routines). (Mayo Clinic)

Typical expressive vocabulary (rough estimate)

Around 2–6 words besides mama/dada is a common range. (Carolina Therapeutics)

Parent tip (simple and powerful)

Narrate your day: “Shoes on… we go!” Keep phrases short and repeatable.

15 months: words + understanding accelerate

What you may notice around 15 months:

• More intentional pointing (asking, showing, sharing attention).

• Attempts to imitate words you say.

• Understanding familiar routines even if speech is still limited.

Typical expressive vocabulary (rough estimate)

Around 10 words is a common estimate. (Carolina Therapeutics)

Parent tip

Offer choices with words: “Milk or water?” (and wait—silence helps the brain “try”).

18 months: language becomes more functional

By 18 months, many children:

• Try to say at least 3+ words besides “mama/dada”. (CDC)

• Follow one-step directions without gestures (for example: “Give it to me”). (CDC)

• May say around 10–15 words (some say more, some less). (Mayo Clinic)

Typical expressive vocabulary (rough estimate)

Around 50 words is often used as a broad reference point. (Carolina Therapeutics)

Red flags at this stage

Consider an evaluation if your toddler:

• Rarely responds to name or shared attention attempts.

• Uses almost no gestures (pointing, waving) AND has very limited vocal attempts.

• Seems to “understand nothing” (not just stubbornness).

24 months: “two-word magic” and clearer speech

By 2 years, the CDC includes language skills like:

• Saying at least two words together (example: “more milk”). (CDC)

  
  

  By 24 months, many toddlers also:

• Use simple phrases (“more milk”). (Mayo Clinic)

• Ask one- to two-word questions (“Go bye-bye?”). (Mayo Clinic)

• Speak around 50+ words, and caregivers can understand them at least about half the time. (Mayo Clinic)

Typical expressive vocabulary (rough estimate)

Some references describe 200–300 words around this age, but ranges vary widely. (Carolina Therapeutics)

Red flags at this stage

It’s worth evaluating if your child:

• Isn’t combining words at all.

• Is very hard to understand even to familiar adults.

• Gets frequent meltdowns tied to communication frustration (because “behavior” can be language).

30 months: longer phrases, pronouns, and book naming

By 30 months, many children:

• Say about 50 words. (CDC)

• Say two or more words together with an action word (“Doggie run”). (CDC)

• Name things in a book when you point and ask. (CDC)

• Use words like “I”, “me”, or “we”. (CDC)

Typical expressive vocabulary (rough estimate)

Some references estimate around 450 words. (Carolina Therapeutics)

What parents can do (without turning your home into a clinic)

• “One more word” rule: if your child says “car”, you model “big car” (no pressure to repeat).

• Book routines: point, pause, and let them fill in (“This is a…”).

• Reduce questions, increase comments: too many questions can shut kids down.

• Play with turn-taking language: “my turn / your turn,” “ready-set-go.”

When to seek speech therapy at Cognitivo

If you’re thinking “I’m not sure… but something feels off,” that’s enough to consult. Cognitivo recommends seeking an evaluation when a child is difficult to understand compared to peers, uses fewer words than expected, struggles to build sentences, relies mostly on gestures, stutters with frustration, or has trouble following instructions. (Cognitivo)

A good evaluation gives you:

• A clear profile (receptive vs expressive language, speech clarity, social communication).

• Goals that match daily life (home + school).

• Parent strategies that actually fit your routine.

People Also Ask

Is it normal for a 2-year-old to say only a few words?

It can happen, but if there are very few words and no two-word phrases, an evaluation is recommended.

What if my child understands everything but doesn’t talk much?

That can be expressive delay, motor-speech difficulty, or anxiety—assessment clarifies.

Do bilingual toddlers speak later?

Bilingualism can change how vocabulary is distributed across languages, but core milestones still matter.

How do I help without pressuring my child?

Model language, use routines, and create “communication opportunities” without forcing repetition.

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