Speech & Language Development: What to Expect, 1-2 Years Old
During this time, children are learning how to use single words, name pictures, ask questions, and are starting to put two words together. They are also learning new words and developing the ability to follow simple directions and understand questions. Below are a few examples of what 1-2 year old children should be able to understand, say, and what might be difficult for them.
What should a 1-2 year old child be able to understand?
– Identify some body parts on self or a doll, like “touch foot”
-How to follow simple directions, like “give me”
-How objects are used during play, like drink with a cup or stir with a spoon
-Simple questions, like “Where is mommy?”
-Point to common pictures
-Listen to stories, finger plays, and songs
What should a 1-2 year old child be able to say?
-Use new words. During this time, vocabulary grows from about 200-300 words over this time period!
-Use “true” words combined with jargon or babbling
-Ask for “more”
-Start using present progressive verb tense, though grammar may be incorrect, like “I eating”
-Use words to “protest”, like “no more” or “all done”
-Name common pictures in books/pictures
-Use 2 words together
-Ask simple WHAT, WHO, and WHERE questions
-Use sounds p, b, m, h, w
What might be difficult for a 1-2 year old child?
-May be difficult to say k, g, f, t, d, f, y, v, l, j, sh, ch, s, r, and th sounds.
-May have difficulty combining more than 2 words to communicate
-May have difficulty using negatives
-May have difficulty answering yes/no questions
Written by: Stephanie Pecht, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
AAC Specialist, Tri-County Therapy
