If you’re wondering whether your child’s communication is on track, you’re not alone. Questions related to speech and language development always come up when I'm around parents of toddlers. Around their first birthday, babies are rapidly transitioning from coos and babbles to meaningful sounds, gestures, and even first words. But what’s actually normal for a 1-year-old? In this guide, I’ll break down 1-year-old speech milestones, including how many words most toddlers say, how they use gestures and sounds to communicate, and the early signs that may signal a need for extra support. Whether your child is already saying “mama” and “dada” or still mostly babbling, understanding typical speech and language development starting at 12 months can help you feel confident about what to expect—and what to do next.
First of all, there are two parts to language. Receptive language is what your child understands. At age 1, many of our children understand much more than what they are able to say. Expressive language development is your child's ability to communicate with you. This can include both words or gestures!
Let's take a look at what receptive language skills we expect between the ages of 12-18 months old:
- Looks around when you ask them “where” questions like “Where’s your blanket?”
- Follows simple on step directions like “Give me the ball,” “Hug the teddy bear,” “Come here,” "look at mommy" or “Show me your nose.”
- Looks at you when you call their name
- Stops for a moment when you tell them "no"
- Recognizes the names of familiar people and objects
- Identifies one or more body parts.
The following expressive language skills are expected between 12-18 months:
- Points to make requests, to comment, or to get information.
- Shakes head for “no” and nods head for “yes.”
- Understands and uses words for common objects, some actions, and people in their lives.
- By 12 months old, has an average of 2-6 words other than mama and dada.
- By 15 months old, has an average of 10 words.
- By 18 months old, has an average of 50 words.
- Uses gestures when excited, like clapping or giving a high-five, or when being silly, like sticking out their tongue or making funny faces.
- Uses a combination of long strings of sounds, syllables, and real words with speech-like inflection (jargon).
Some signs your toddler might have a speech or language delay at this age include:
- Doesn't respond to their name.
- Plays quietly with minimal babbling, jargon or words.
- Won't imitate silly sounds or familiar names, objects.
- Doesn't wave hello or bye or imitate other gestures like blowing a kiss
- Isn't pointing to objects or pictures in books to learn new vocabulary
- Doesn't try to communicate through verbal sounds, actions or gestures
- Difficulty understanding simple directions including putting an object "in" something
If you are concerned with your child's speech and language development, you do not have to "wait and see" if they get better on their own. You can start helping your child at home with some simple, targeted strategies. Download Word Play's free 10 Tips for Late Talkers here. Or if you're really series about seeing progress, I have a few options for you. One, my Talking Together: Strategies for Boosting Your Child's Speech and Language Development course goes over all of my research approved strategies for getting your toddler to talk more. This digital course is 70 minutes and covers teaching new vocabulary, how to actually get them to say the words, fixing speech sound errors and more. Two, book a parent consultation where I will teach you all of the exact strategies your specific child needs to get them talking more. My parent consultations include a copy of the Talking Together course, plus lots of additional resources for you to use at home!
If you're worried your toddler isn't talking enough, be sure to follow me on social media where I share lots of tips for speech and language development.
I hope this has helped you have a better idea of what is "normal" and when it might be time for your child to get help. When it comes to speech and language delays, early intervention is best! And since you're here reading this, my guess is you agree!
- Ali
Citations:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Typical speech and language development: Communication milestones [Web page]. In ASHA. Retrieved on September 19, 2025, from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart/
Lanza, J. R., & Flahive, L. K. (2012). Guide to communication milestones (2nd ed.) [Brochure]. LinguiSystems, Inc.