Ask the Expert (ATE): Is Your Child’s Speech and Language Development on Track?

As parents, it’s natural to wonder if our child’s speech and language skills are developing the way they should. From first words to forming simple sentences, every step can spark questions, excitement, and sometimes, worry. But how do we know what’s typical and when to seek professional guidance?

In this Ask the Expert feature, we answer real questions from parents about speech and language milestones. These insights cover common concerns, red flags, and practical tips you can use to support your child’s communication development at home.

Questions and Expert Answers

My 5-year-old’s speech is unclear, and only his mum can understand him. He often shouts or screams, and spends most of his day with his grandparents. Is this normal?

At 5 years old, most children can be understood by people outside the family almost all the time, even if they still make the odd mistake (like saying “wabbit” for rabbit). If only his mum can really understand him right now, that’s usually a sign of potential Speech Sound needs, including Phonological or Articulation delay/disorder and so he’d really benefit from a Speech and Language assessment to see what’s going on.

Articulation disorders involve problems with the physical movement of the mouth, tongue, and lips to make sounds, while phonological disorders involve difficulty applying rules for how sounds are used in words. He’d really benefit from a Speech and Language assessment to see what’s going on, including any underlying language needs that may be contributing to him not being understood.

The shouting or screaming you’ve noticed might also be his way of showing frustration — sometimes children who find it hard to make themselves understood end up using louder sounds or behaviour to communicate.

Spending lots of time with grandparents can be such a comfort for a child, but it’s true that older caregivers may not always have the energy to keep up constant conversations. Young children’s speech develops best through lots of interaction.

It sounds like everyone has the best intentions, and sometimes parents need gentle reassurance that getting help early doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do to help a child feel more confident and ready for school.

Encourage his mum to reach out to a Speech and Language Therapist via www.telehope.sg for a Speech Sound Assessment — even one or two sessions can help identify the cause and guide next steps. For typical milestones, check out: https://telehope.sg/free-downloadable-resources

My 2-year-old can say words but not full sentences yet. He has tantrums and sometimes his speech isn’t clear. He can count 1–10 and imitates me, but I worry when comparing him to other children.

It’s completely understandable to feel a bit worried — many parents do when they notice differences between children, but please remember that every child develops at their own pace. At 2 years and 2 months, it’s perfectly normal for children to still be using single words or short two-word phrases rather than full sentences.

The fact that your son can say words, imitate you, and count from 1 to 10 shows he’s developing some great early communication and learning skills. Tantrums at this age are also very common — often they’re linked to frustration when children can’t yet express everything they want to say.

To support his language development, you can:

1. Model short, simple sentences during play (e.g. “Car go fast!”, “Big ball!”).

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2. Repeat and expand on what he says (e.g. if he says “dog,” you can say “Yes, big dog”).

3. Offer choices (“Do you want apple or banana?”) to encourage him to use words to express himself.

If, by around 2½ years, he’s still using mostly single words or you find his speech very unclear even to familiar people, it might be a good idea to book a Speech and Language Assessment at www.telehope.sg for reassurance and early support. Our Speech Therapists will guide you on effective language stimulation strategies so that you can actively practice at home to help your child improve on his expressive language development.

You’re doing a lovely job engaging with him and have done nothing wrong — activities like above will support you and him and keep making communication fun and pressure-free. If you would like to access a home early intervention program, check out www.peivekids.com ❤️

I heard about oral or facial massage to improve speech. Does this really help children speak more clearly?

That’s such an interesting question and I completely understand why that story would catch your attention! We all want to do everything possible to help our little ones start talking clearly.

Some parents do try oral or facial massage to support speech, and while it can help children who have muscle tone or feeding difficulties, research hasn’t shown that it directly helps children talk or pronounce words more clearly.

Speech develops through practice with real talking, e.g., things like imitating sounds, naming objects, singing, and having back-and-forth conversations. Those experiences strengthen the muscles and coordination needed for speech much more effectively than massage.

That said, if the massage was calming or helped the child feel more relaxed and ready to communicate, that could certainly have supported their progress in an indirect way.

If you ever have concerns about your child’s clarity or speech progress, a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg can help identify what’s really going on and suggest fun, practical ways to build those skills at home, using research and evidence-based interventions.

My 3-year-old sings songs and recites parts of stories but doesn’t really talk to us or answer questions. Should I be concerned?

It’s great that you’re noticing and tuning into your daughter’s communication!

It’s really positive that she can sing songs, recite parts of stories, and understands instructions as those are all signs that her listening and memory skills are developing well. The part you’ve mentioned about repeating phrases like “milk or water” instead of answering is called echolalia. It can be quite common at this stage, especially in children who are still developing their own expressive language.

However, by around age 3, we would usually expect children to begin using short sentences e.g., “I want milk” or “mama go outside” and to start having simple back-and-forth exchanges. Since she’s not yet doing that, it would be a good idea to have her communication skills reviewed by a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg and/or access a developmental assessment and home intervention program at www.peivekids.com. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is “wrong” — early support can simply help her learn how to use her language more flexibly and confidently.

In the meantime, keep modelling choices and short phrases for her, for example, say “I want milk” and then hand her the milk, and try to give her a few seconds to respond before repeating or prompting. This helps her process and encourages spontaneous speech.

My 2-year-old can say a few words but isn’t conversational yet. He follows instructions and repeats after me. Is this normal?

It’s great that he is showing positive signs of his understanding and growing communication skills.

At 2 years and 2 months, many children are starting to use simple phrases and answer basic questions. Since your son isn’t yet responding to questions like “What do you want?” or expressing what he wants after calling you, it may suggest his expressive language (using words) is developing a bit more slowly than his understanding.

This isn’t uncommon at this age, but it’s a good idea to monitor it. I’d recommend:

1. Modeling choice questions e.g., “Do you want juice or water?”

2. Offering choices using objects and photos alongside your verbal instructions, so he has a visual clue.

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3. Expanding on the words he says e.g., if he says “Car” add one key word → “Big car!”

For more ideas, check out our therapy videos here: https://telehope.sg/tutorial-videos-on-language-stimulation. Given his age, it may also be helpful to have a Speech and Language Assessment at www.telehope.sg and/or access a developmental assessment at www.peivekids.com. This doesn’t mean there’s a problem — it’s just a way to better understand his strengths and see if he’d benefit from some early support.

You’re doing the right thing by being observant and involved — that’s a big help in his development!

My daughter used to say certain words often but now she rarely says them. Is that normal?

You don’t need to count every word, but it’s helpful to notice how your child is using language overall. It’s common for toddlers to stop using certain words for a while, especially as they focus on learning new skills.

If your daughter is still learning new words and using language to communicate, that’s usually a good sign. But if she’s losing many words or her language seems to be going backwards overall, it’s worth checking in with a Speech and Language Therapist available at www.telehope.sg. If you have concerns regarding more than one area of her development, check out www.peivekids.com.

You’re doing the right thing by staying aware of her development!

I often run out of ideas to stimulate my child at home. What activities can I try?

You’re right — kids really do learn best from the people around them, and it’s great that you want to support your child’s development.

The good news is, you don’t need lots of fancy toys or lessons. Simple, everyday interactions work really well. Here are a few easy ideas:

1. Comment about what you’re doing during daily routines – “Let’s wash your hands,” or “I’m cutting the apple.”

2. Follow your child’s lead by offering their favourite toys – Talk about what they’re playing with or looking at rather than focusing only on what you want to do.

3. Sensory play e.g., offer water and sand and hide different objects, e.g., cars, balls, animals – this uses all senses and is great for language stimulation.

4. People games e.g., peek-a-boo, hide and seek, tag!

Even just 5 minutes daily makes a big difference. If you want more ideas based on your child’s age, get in touch with us at www.telehope.sg for a direct Speech Sound or Language Assessment with activity ideas, OR www.peivekids.com for a full developmental assessment and home program. For some general language activities, see tutorial videos here: https://telehope.sg/tutorial-videos-on-language-stimulation

My 18-month-old mostly communicates by pointing or pulling my hand and only says a few words. Should I assess her?

It’s completely natural to feel concerned. Every child develops at their own pace, but it’s great that you’re tuned in and noticing her communication 💕

At 18 months, children typically say around 10–20 words and understand far more than they can say. What’s most important right now is that she’s communicating in different ways, e.g., pointing, using gestures, pulling your hand, or making sounds. Those are all early building blocks for language!

However, since she’s using only a few words at this age, it would be a good idea to book a Speech and Language Therapy Assessment; not necessarily because something is wrong, but to get personalised guidance on how to support her language. Early support can make a huge difference as well as empower you with ideas on how to help her talk at home! You can do your own developmental assessment, including language skills, at www.peivekids.com or book in for a direct assessment with a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg.

In the meantime, here are some simple things you can do at home:

1. Sing nursery rhymes and use lots of repetition.

2. Use early play toys such as Lego, animal puzzles, pretend baby sets, and comment on play sounds e.g., ‘yay’ and object names e.g., car, dog.

3. Follow her lead in play and name what she’s showing interest in, repeat key words up to 3 times and use an exaggerated tone of voice. Children need to hear words many times before they start to copy.

You’re doing the right thing by paying attention — early curiosity is the best kind of support a parent can give ❤️

My 2-year-old speaks very few words at home and mainly uses actions or body language at school. Could this be a speech delay?

It’s lovely to hear that your little one understands instructions well, as that shows her receptive language (understanding skills) is developing nicely!

By 2 years old, children typically use around 50 or more words and start to combine 2 words together e.g., “more milk”. So if she’s using about 15 words right now, that would suggest she’s a little behind the expected range for her age.

The good news is that there’s so much you can do at home to help her!

Here are a few ideas:

1. Model short, simple phrases throughout the day — repeat early words and often e.g., “up,” “more,” “ball,” “go.”

2. Sing action songs and nursery rhymes using gestures at the same time — gestures and repetition help language emerge.

3. Put her favourite toys/snacks out of reach but still in sight to create opportunities for her to request.

Since she’s approaching 2 and still below the typical word range, I’d recommend a Speech and Language Therapy assessment. It’s not that something is wrong; it’s about giving you tailored strategies to support her early communication both at home and school. You can do your own assessment at home here: www.peivekids.com or book in to see a Speech and Language Therapist directly at www.telehope.sg 

My son speaks in short phrases like “want water” or “go playground,” but not full sentences yet. His pronunciation isn’t very clear, especially words with “s” and “r”. At home we speak English and Mandarin — could that be affecting him?

I would need to know his age to give more specific advice. Generally, short phrases are typical under 2;5 years; above this we want more extended phrases and simple sentences and simple two-way conversations by 4 years old.

The ‘s’ sound is typically mastered by 4 years old and ‘r’ sound by 6 or 7. Generally, by 5 years old, children should be fully clear to understand. For an overview of Speech Sound milestones, check out this free downloadable milestones poster here: https://telehope.sg/free-downloadable-resources

For bilingual or multilingual families, we recommend either one parent, one language rule e.g., if you are more fluent in Mandarin, use this with him and if a second caregiver is more fluent in English, they are to use that language with him. Do not code switch e.g., start a sentence in Mandarin then mix up using English for some words because this is confusing and children need to hear grammatically correct sentences to copy.

If you have further concerns, I recommend consulting with a Speech and Language Therapist to get personalised and specific advice. For examples of what an online speech sound therapy session for the ‘s’ sound looks like, check out this video: https://telehope.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/v1.mp4 ❤️

Is it true that kids who spend more time with friends their age tend to start talking faster? I’m starting to think of enrolling my son in a regular class so he can meet kids his age — at home, all his “friends” are adults.

Simple answer is YES! Being around other children can help boost your little one’s communication skills. While adults provide rich language models e.g., we use correct sentence structures and use lots of vocabulary, peers offer something special; children learn through imitation, turn-taking, and shared excitement.

Here’s how social play helps:

1. Listening and copying – hearing other kids talk helps your child pick up words, tone, and rhythm.

2. Motivation to communicate – wanting to join in play encourages them to use words and gestures and helps build friendships which has so many social, emotional and mental health benefits.

3. Turn-taking and sharing – these early social skills are the foundation for good conversation later on.

That said, language development still depends most on responsive interaction e.g., adults follow the child’s lead, label what they see, and wait for them to respond and some children may not respond. So it’s a mix of both worlds: peer exposure + rich language at home!

Enrolling him in a small playgroup, nursery, or even arranging short playdates can definitely be helpful — just make sure it’s a warm, language-rich setting where he feels comfortable and supported. You can follow Amazing Speech Therapy at www.amazingspeechtherapy.sg and their Instagram to keep up to date with playgroups they offer in the holidays 💕

You’re already on the right track by thinking about his social environment, it shows how tuned in you are to his growth!

My daughter’s teacher mentioned she might have a mild speech delay because she doesn’t answer open-ended questions in class. But at home, she’s talkative and sings a lot. Why such a big difference between school and home?

There are lots of layers to unpack here. First, it is very common for children to function differently in home and school environments due to familiarity. For instance, home is highly familiar for your daughter and her comfort zone so naturally will be more talkative. Have you observed her responding to open ended questions e.g., what did you do at school? and does she respond using full sentences or even at narrative level? If so, this signals her baseline language levels are good.

Children maybe more naturally quieter at school because of the large group setting. However, unless a Speech and Language Therapist assesses her directly, they will be able to differentiate if it is this or there maybe underlying language needs. For example, there are different question types, simple wh-questions e.g., who, what, where and more complex e.g., why, how and yes closed versus open-ended questions.

If there is a big difference and her teacher has concern, I highly recommend a Speech and Language Therapy assessment to identify if she has needs based on her age and this will also give you more answers and tips on how to help her perform at school. Contact us at www.telehope.sg for support. Meanwhile, some fantastic resources here on different question types using Blanks Level — a common framework Speech and Language Therapists use: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/blanks-levels-of-questioning.

Oh my… my 2-year-old still mostly communicates with gestures. He’ll pull my hand to the fridge when he’s hungry, or bring me his bottle, but won’t say “milk” or “eat.” How can I encourage him to speak instead?

The fact that your little one is using gestures and showing you what he needs is actually a positive sign as it means he’s already communicating and understands that his actions get a response.

At around 2 years old, most children are beginning to use 50 or more words and starting to combine two words e.g., “more milk”. If your child is mainly using gestures at this stage, it may mean his spoken language is developing more slowly, but there are lots of ways to gently encourage talking.

Here are some simple strategies you can start right away:

1. Model words during routines – When he reaches for the fridge, say “milk!” or “want milk!” clearly and with excitement.

2. Pause and wait – After you say the word, pause for a few seconds to give him time to try. Even a sound or attempt counts!

3. Use songs and nursery rhymes – Music helps children tune in to rhythm and sounds of speech – check out video by Beatrice on how to model songs here: https://telehope.sg/tutorial-videos-on-language-stimulation

4. Get face-to-face – Make eye contact, smile, and talk at his level during play.

5. Label everything – Name what he sees or does: “cup”, “apple”, “car go”. Repetition helps the words stick.

If he’s not using words regularly yet or isn’t adding new ones week by week, it would be a good idea to book a Speech and Language Therapy assessment to see if there are any underlying medical causes contributing to his language needs. Book an online consultation and parent training session with a Speech and Language Therapist via www.telehope.sg or do your own developmental assessment at home using Peive at www.peivekids.com to get clarity on your child’s communication development and guidance on how to help him. I also recommend an up-to-date hearing assessment to make sure he can hear fully.

Hi doc I’m a bit anxious about my 2-year-old… He doesn’t say many words yet, and sometimes he doesn’t look when we call his name. But he knows all the alphabets and numbers! Is it something to worry about?

It’s lovely that your child recognises letters and numbers — that shows strong visual memory and learning skills. If he’s not saying many words and sometimes doesn’t respond to his name, it’s worth keeping an eye on his social communication and listening skills too.

Try getting down to his level, following his play, and modelling simple early words to request e.g., “more” “open” and play sounds e.g., animal sounds, vehicle sounds etc. Keep screens off during play so he can focus on your voice. Nursery songs are great for early first words, check out tutorial video here: https://telehope.sg/tutorial-videos-on-language-stimulation.

I’d also suggest a hearing test and a Speech and Language Therapy assessment as by 2 years of age, typically developing children are using 50+ words. An assessment will help you understand how best to support his language development and early. Check out our free developmental assessment at www.peivekids.com for all areas of a child’s development or book in for an online consultation direct with a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg.

Hi… My 20-month-old babbles a lot and it sounds like he’s having a full conversation, but there are no real words yet. Is this still considered speech development?

That’s wonderful to hear your little one is babbling a lot as that’s a really positive sign! Babbling is an important stage of speech and language development. It shows your child is experimenting with sounds, practising the rhythm of conversation, and learning how communication works.

At around 20 months, we’d typically expect a few clear words e.g., “mama,” “ball,” “more” to a growing vocabulary size e.g., 10–50 single words, however every child develops at their own pace. Keep encouraging him by:

1. Talking about what he’s doing and what you’re doing.

2. Modelling simple words during play.

3. Pausing after you speak to give him a chance to respond.

We recommend booking a direct assessment with a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg AND/OR do Peive NOW at www.peivekids.com since there are already signs of a Language Delay. You can access parent language stimulation techniques so that you can help your child develop language NOW, instead of waiting and worrying. You’re doing great by tuning into his communication early — that makes a big difference 🌟.

Hi Doc… My little one used to say a few words but suddenly stopped. I’m really worried. Is this something serious? Like he forgot some of the words he used to say.

I completely understand your worry as noticing your child stop using words they once said can feel concerning. Sometimes, children go through short phases where they seem to “lose” words, especially during big changes e.g., starting nursery, teething or illness. This can be temporary and part of normal development.

However, if your little one has stopped using several words for more than a few weeks, or isn’t trying to communicate with gestures, sounds, or eye contact, it’s important to look a little deeper. Occasionally, this can signal a language regression or hearing or developmental change that’s worth checking.

You can help by:

1. Modelling simple, familiar words during play and routines.

2. Using lots of repetition and encouraging turn-taking games.

3. Reducing background noise so they can tune into your voice.

I’d also recommend booking a hearing test and a Speech and Language Therapy assessment so we can understand what’s going on and support him early. A developmental assessment and early intervention program is available here at www.peivekids.com or you can book directly with a Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg.

Doc, my daughter is 3 now… but she still doesn’t speak in full sentences, only says short phrases. Is it too late for her to catch up? How do we help?

Please don’t worry, it’s definitely not too late for your little one to catch up! At 3 years, many children are still learning to combine words into longer sentences. Using short phrases like “want juice” or “mummy go” shows she’s already building language. She just needs a bit more support to expand it.

You can help by:

1. Modelling slightly longer sentences — if she says “mummy car,” you can say “Yes, mummy’s driving the car!”

2. Comment on what she is looking at during play and everyday routines.

3. Reading short, repetitive picture books and pausing for her to fill in words.

4. Check out developing use of sentences tutorial video here: https://telehope.sg/tutorial-videos-on-language-stimulation

If she’s not yet using 3–4 word sentences or is hard for others to understand, a Speech and Language Therapy assessment can help guide the next steps. You can access a developmental assessment and early intervention program at www.peivekids.com or a direct Speech and Language Therapist via www.telehope.sg.

Every time someone says “don’t worry lah, he’ll talk when he’s ready”, I feel torn… I want to believe that, but what if he really needs help?

I completely understand how you feel as it’s so common to hear “he’ll talk when he’s ready,” and while many children do develop at their own pace, some need a little extra support to get there. The truth is, waiting and watching can sometimes mean missing that early window where support makes a significant difference.

If your gut tells you something might be off — trust it. You know your child best. Getting a Speech and Language assessment doesn’t mean something is “wrong”; it just helps you understand how your child is communicating and what can do to help them thrive. There is really no harm having a consultation to check if anything is wrong and for you to learn language stimulation strategies to help their child. But if you wait and do nothing during this key developmental window, you might risk the delay getting bigger. We are proud to present you access to a free developmental assessment and early intervention program at www.peivekids.com so you do not have to wait and see! Alternatively for direct access to a Speech and Language Therapist, contact us at www.telehope.sg.

You’re doing the right thing by asking questions and seeking clarity — that’s exactly what helps children make progress faster 🌟.

My son understands everything we say, but he doesn’t talk back. Every day I wait to hear him call me “mummy”. How can I help him?

I can feel how much you’re longing to hear him say “mummy” — that moment means so much. The fact that your son understands what you say is a really positive sign because it shows his receptive language (understanding) is developing well.

Sometimes, children take a little longer to move from understanding to using words. You can help by:

1. Modelling simple words often — say “mummy,” “more,” “ball,” and repeat them naturally during play and everyday routines.

2. Pause and wait after you say something — this gives him space to try.

3. Use lots of play sounds during daily routines e.g., ‘yay’, ‘uh oh’ as play sounds typically come before first words.

If he’s over 2 and not yet using words, it’s a good time to reach out for a Speech and Language assessment — early support can make a big difference! You can access a developmental assessment and early intervention program at www.peivekids.com or a direct Speech and Language Therapist via www.telehope.sg. A Speech and Language Therapist can guide you on how to provide language rich opportunities at home and during daily interactions.

At home we speak both English and Mandarin. My 3-year-old mixes the two when talking. Will this confuse him or slow down his speech?

It’s normal for children who are learning two languages to mix them; this is called code-mixing or code-switching, and it’s a sign of a growing vocabulary in both languages which is positive. Your child isn’t confused — they’re using all the words they know to express themselves!

Being exposed to both English and Mandarin will not slow down speech development in the long term. In fact, research shows bilingualism supports strong thinking skills, attention, and problem-solving later on.

Here are a few tips to support him:

1. Use one language at a time when you speak to him e.g., one parent mainly in Mandarin, the other in English, or one language per activity.

2. Read stories and sing songs in both languages to build vocabulary.

3. Model back in full sentences using the correct sentence structure.

So don’t worry — mixing languages is part of the bilingual journey, and it’s a wonderful strength you’re giving your child. Here is a great website for additional advice on how to support him: https://literacytrust.org.uk/early-years/bilingual-quick-tips.

I work long hours, so my child spends most time with the helper. I’m scared I’m missing the window to help him talk better.

Try not to be scared because every day is still full of opportunities to help your child learn to talk!

Children learn language through meaningful connection, even short, warm, focused moments with you make a big difference.

Here are a few ways you can help, even with a busy schedule:

1. Quality over quantity: Just 10–15 minutes of undistracted play or conversation e.g., no phone, no rush has a big impact. Follow your child’s lead and comment on what they’re doing e.g., “Wow, you’re building a lego tower!”

2. Comment during daily routines by commenting on what you see or are doing e.g., chat while getting ready, in the car, or during bedtime. These little daily moments count.

3. Guide your helper: Share with her some simple speech strategies and explain WHY it is important i.e., to help your child talk. Talking about what your child is doing, waiting for him to respond, and expanding his words e.g., if he says “car,” she can say “big car!” The more you model, your helper will hopefully copy.

4. Read picture books together whenever you can: Even a short bedtime story helps build connection and vocabulary.

Your love, attention, and voice matter more than perfect timing. Give these tips a try and let us know how it goes! If you would like specialist support, we can provide training to your helper on Adult-Child Interaction (ACI) strategies which is proven by research to support children’s language, even just a handful of sessions can make a significant difference. Contact us via www.telehope.sg for more information.

My boy just turned 2 and still not saying much… sometimes I wonder if it’s my fault for not talking to him enough.

Please know, it’s not your fault. Every child develops at their own pace, and there are many reasons why some little ones take longer to start talking. What matters most is that you’re noticing and wanting to support him — that’s already such a powerful step.

It’s never too late to help your child’s language grow!

Here are a few gentle ways to help him:

1. Comment about what he’s doing — describe his play e.g., “You’re pushing the car! Wow, it’s fast!”

2. Use nursery songs and rhymes — repetition helps him hear and practise new sounds.

3. Follow his lead — talk about what he’s interested in, not just what you want him to say.

If he’s understanding you, using gestures, and showing interest in communicating, those are great signs. But if you’re feeling unsure or he has less than 50 single words, it’s also completely okay to have a Speech and Language assessment; it doesn’t mean something is “wrong,” it just gives you tailored strategies to help him and ensure future success! Access a developmental assessment and early intervention program at www.peivekids.com OR direct Speech and Language Therapist at www.telehope.sg.

Is it true that kids will eventually talk when they’re ready, so we don’t really have to worry too much?

While it’s true that children develop at different speeds, the idea that they’ll “just talk when they’re ready” isn’t always accurate.

Speech and language develop through interaction and experience — children need to hear language, see it used, and have lots of chances to communicate. Some children do start talking a bit later and catch up naturally, but for others, early support makes a big difference in helping them build confidence and skills.

So rather than waiting and worrying, it’s better to keep creating language-rich moments every day such as talking about what they’re doing, singing, reading together, and giving them time to respond. As little as 5 minutes focused interaction daily is effective!

If by around 2 years old your child isn’t using many words yet, it’s a good idea to check in with a Speech and Language Therapist. Early support is gentle, play-based, and can help your child’s language develop sooner. 0–5 years is a key window for development, where 90% of a child’s brain develops, so you do not want to miss out on this critical period to support. Access a developmental assessment and early intervention program here at www.peivekids.com or direct SLT at www.telehope.sg. The SLT can guide you on language stimulation strategies to complete at home.

Supporting Your Child’s Communication Journey

Every child develops at their own pace, but early observation, support, and guidance make a meaningful difference. By noticing your child’s speech and language patterns, creating language-rich interactions, and seeking professional advice when needed, you can help your child grow confident and expressive.