Toddler Language Development

Toddler Language Development

Toddler Language Development

12-18 months
Article
Jan 3, 2016
3 mins

Language milestones depend on your toddler’s genetic abilities and the environment in which they are exposed to. Some toddlers are happy to babble away, while others wait until they have mastered the words in their head and then feel confident enough to speak them. 

From around 12 to 20 months your toddler’s speech takes off with a few simple and efficient words with meaning such as finished, no, and more.

From around 15 months they will put their first two or three words together with meaning. Your toddler will repeat their favourite onomatopoeias (words that imitate sounds to a specific object, such as ‘brum-brum’). Two-words with meaning, such as mummy gone begin to appear.

By around 18 months your toddler uses up to 20 more words with meaning but understands and recognises many, many more. Your toddler understands much more than they speak. You can encourage their progress by looking at words and pictures together or by singing nursery rhymes to them. It is especially important to continue talking to them in many different situations. Speaking in person is the best way of enriching vocabulary and stimulating their curiosity; it is not listening and watching from the television.

The selection of words in your toddler’s repertoire increases and they begin to talk more to communicate.

Words and sentences – the beginning of conversation

Keep in mind that talking happens at different times for different children. When your toddler starts to speak, their first few words will probably be the names of familiar people, their favourite toys, or different body parts. Early words may be hard to understand and often sound like babble.

  • At around 2 years old language progresses rapidly. However, every toddler is unique and language development may take longer for some toddlers. Your toddler begins to name objects correctly and becomes interested in other people. They are learning at least one new word a day but often have a hard time getting all the words out in a sequence well enough to be understood. This frustration can cause tantrums.
  • The selection of words in your toddler’s repertoire increases and they begin to talk more to communicate. Make the most of this time to read stories to your toddler and talk to them about what is going on around them. Your toddler will continue to explore new words and language and is encouraged to do more when they get positive responses from you. The better their language development the less cause for frustrated tantrums resulting from not being understood.
  • By around 2 years old your toddler discovers that words are related and are putting two words together.
  • By around 3 years old your toddler knows around 1000 words and is putting three or more word sentences together that are clearer to understand. Your toddler starts to use sentence structure and may use paste tense and plurals. They will speak in first person and the quality of dialogue with their parents stimulates them to speak more. Interactive family mealtimes are a highly important time in this period of development. The richer the dialogue the more children learn to take part in conversations.


Some ways to help your toddler’s language develop:

  • Pay close attention to what they are saying – stop, get down to their level and make eye contact;
  • Now that they can understand more and use words more – ask them simple questions;
  • Praise their efforts. Never correct mistakes by saying no first, echo back what your toddler meant to say in a pleasant tone of voice;
  • Expand on their sentences. If your toddler says look dog, you could say yes, look it’s a brown dog;
  • Read and look at a variety of books together;
  • Talk openly about what you see or what is happening.


Language development is individual – be sure to seek professional help early if you think your toddler is delayed in their language skills. Recurrent ear infections can affect the ability to hear words and speak.

Related articles

View details 10 Tips For Managing Toddler Tantrums
Article
Toddler crying on her dads shoulder

10 Tips For Managing Toddler Tantrums

Now that they’re walking and talking, your toddler is asserting their independence more and more every day, as well as developing strong willpower.

5 mins to read

View details Toddler activities: Entertaining playtime ideas for 12-18-month-olds
Article
Illustration of an infant playing with a cardboard car.

Toddler activities: Entertaining playtime ideas for 12-18-month-olds

From crawling to standing and taking their first steps, your baby is now moving quickly into toddlerhood and becoming more active and mobile all the time.

3 mins to read

View details What are Toddler Tantrums?
Article
Toddler Tantrums

What are Toddler Tantrums?

Toddler tantrums can be stressful for everyone. Read our tips on how to understand your toddlers tantrums and how to make them less likely to happen.

3 mins to read

View details Toddler Sleep
Article
Toddler Sleep

Toddler Sleep

As your baby grows and becomes a toddler at around 12 months of age, they are much more active. They may find it difficult to switch off and unwind.

5 mins to read

View details How to Handle Toddler Sleep Problems
Article
Toddler reading a book on mums lap

How to Handle Toddler Sleep Problems

You know they’re tired, but no matter how hard you try, they won’t go to sleep. Here are a few tips and tricks to help your toddlers sleep problems.

3 mins to read

View details Toddler Toys & Games
Article
Toddler Toys & Games

Toddler Toys & Games

Your toddler can be over stimulated or confused by too many toys offered all at once.

2 mins to read

View details Baby Talk: Encouraging Baby's First Words
Article
mother and baby sitting together on lounge

Baby Talk: Encouraging Baby's First Words

Your baby’s first words are likely to happen around their first birthday. Here are some things you can do to encourage your baby to talk.  

2 mins to read

View details Social & Emotional Development in your Toddler
Article
Social & Emotional Development in your Toddler

Social & Emotional Development in your Toddler

As your toddler matures, their social skills grow. They begin to recognise, exhibit and feel emotions.

3 mins to read

View details How to Encourage Your Baby’s First Steps
Article
Toddler walking with their dad

How to Encourage Your Baby’s First Steps

It can be both thrilling and terrifying watching your baby’s first steps. Here are some ways you can help when they’re learning to walk.

2 mins to read

View details Spending Quality Time with Your Child
Article
toddlers rolling out dough in the kitchen to cook

Spending Quality Time with Your Child

Need more quality family time ideas with your toddler? Here are 9 ways to spend more quality time with your child and turn simple chores into bonding opportunities. 

5 mins to read

View details Fever in Toddlers
Article
Fever in Toddlers

Fever in Toddlers

When your toddler has a fever it is always a concern but don’t worry, it is not always a cause for panic.

3 mins to read

View details Healthy Eating Habits Are Set Early in Life
Article
Healthy eating habits are set early in life

Healthy Eating Habits Are Set Early in Life

By two years of age, dietary patterns of children start to become established.

1 min to read

View details A Guide to Family Meals with Toddlers
Article
toddler eating noodles from a bowl at a restaurant

A Guide to Family Meals with Toddlers

Mealtimes are a time to bring everyone together and for your toddler to learn how to eat at the table with you. Here are some tips to having a successful family meal with a toddler.

3 mins to read

View details Infant Milk Allergy
Article
Infant girl drinking milk

Infant Milk Allergy

Cow's milk allergy is a common food allergy in childhood, impacting approximately 1 to 2% of preschool children.

4 mins to read

View details What To Do When Your Toddler is Constipated
Article
Constipation in toddlers

What To Do When Your Toddler is Constipated

Your toddler may poo once a day or once every few days. This article explains the possible causes of constipation and how to help alleviate it.

2 mins to read

View details Your Toddler’s Essential Shopping List?
Article
Your Toddler’s essential shopping list?

Your Toddler’s Essential Shopping List?

As your little one grows and becomes more independent, you may find they use food preferences as a way of exerting their authority! Making sure they have a healthy selection of foods to choose

1 min to read

View details Your Guide to Toddler Meals and Nutrition
Article
toddler girl smiling eating with 2 spoons

Your Guide to Toddler Meals and Nutrition

As you probably already know, toddlers are incredibly active and energetic! For their body size, toddlers need to make every bite count with nutritious meals and snacks.

6 mins to read

View details What To Do When Your Toddler Has Diarrhoea
Article
Diarrhoea in Toddlers 2

What To Do When Your Toddler Has Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is characterised by very frequent, liquid stools.

2 mins to read

View details Effective Co-Parenting Strategies for a Healthy Family Dynamic
Article
Mother waving at Father and Son

Effective Co-Parenting Strategies for a Healthy Family Dynamic

Wondering what co-parenting means and how to co-parent successfully? Here are some straightforward tips and strategies to make it easier to agree on and work in a parenting partnership.

10 mins to read

Join

  Join

Supporting both you and your baby’s wellbeing and nutrition

eNewsletter Icon

Personalised content

Weekly + monthly e-newsletters based on baby's development straight to your inbox, plus a personalised browsing experience.

Help Icon

Tips & advice

Chat with our Nutrition Experts or browse our FAQs, anytime, anywhere.

Updated Recipe Book SVG

Free e-recipe books

Enjoy over 50 delicious recipes for the whole family. Download our pregnancy, baby and toddler recipe books, or print at home.

Dashboard Icon

Handy tools

Interactive tools to help you keep track of complex things - like fertility, ovulation and growth