Have you ever found yourself wondering if your child is on track with their language development? As parents, we all want the best for our children and ensuring they are hitting milestones can be a source of stress. In this blog post, how many words an 18-month-old should be saying and provide some tips on how to support your child’s communication skills. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
How Many Words Should Your 18 Month Old Be Saying?
Most 18 month olds have a vocabulary of about 50 words. They are beginning to put two words together such as “more milk” or “no thank you”. They may also be able to follow simple commands such as “come here” or “clap your hands”. At this age, they are also starting to understand the meaning of some common words such as “mom”, “dad”, and “bye bye”.
By 18 months, a child’s language should be intelligible to most people. They should be able to point to objects when asked and start using more pronouns such as “me” and “you”. They may also be able to understand some simple questions such as “where is the ball?” and can usually name at least one body part.
Types of Language Development
As your baby grows, they will start to develop language skills. There are three main types of language development: receptive, expressive, and interactive.
Receptive language development is when your baby starts to understand words and gestures. Expressive language development is when your baby starts to use words and gestures. Interactive language development is when your baby starts to communicate with others using words and gestures.
By the time your baby is a year old, he or she will likely know some words and be able to communicate with simple gestures. As your child grows, they will learn more words and start to put sentences together. They may also start to understand more complicated grammar.
Encouraging language development is important for your baby’s development. You can do this by talking often to them, reading books to them, playing interactive games with them, and encouraging conversation between you and your child.
-Receptive Language: Understanding
Most babies at this age are starting to understand simple commands, such as “no” or “come here.” They may also be able to follow a simple one-step command, such as “pick up the toy.” By 18 months, most babies can understand two-step commands, such as “get your coat and shoes on so we can go outside.”
– Expressive Language: Speaking
At one month old, your baby is just beginning to vocalize. You may hear gurgling, cooing, and crying, but not yet any words. Your baby’s first words will likely be “mama” or “dada,” which usually emerge around six months old. By twelve months old, most babies have a vocabulary of about ten words.
Average Milestones for the 18 Month Old
The average 18-month-old can say about 50 words, but most children are not yet using phrases. Your 18-month-old should be able to follow simple commands, such as “come here” or “go get your ball.” He or she will also understand simple questions, such as “What’s that?”
Most 18-month-olds enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. They may bring you a book and want you to read it to them. Some 18-month-olds may be able to point to pictures in a book when you name them.
Your child will probably continue to use single words until he or she is about 2 years old. But don’t worry if your child isn’t talking much yet. Some children start using phrases earlier than others.
By 18 months, your child should be able to feed him or herself with a spoon. He or she may also be able to drink from a cup without help.
Your 18-month-old may start to show more independence, too. He or she may try to do things like get dressed and brush teeth without help.
Other milestones at this age include building towers with blocks, scribbling on paper, and pushing and pulling toys. Your child should also be able to kick a ball forward and walk up stairs with help.
Signs of Delayed Development
If your baby isn’t meeting the milestones for their age, or if you notice any of the following signs, it may be an indication of a delay in development:
- Not responding to sounds
- Not following objects with their eyes
- Not smiling at people
- Trouble getting things to their mouth
- Not babbling
- Not making gestures like waving or reaching out
- Trouble with feeding
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician. They can help you determine if there is a delay and refer you to early intervention services if necessary.
Ways to Stimulate Early Speech and Language Development
One way to stimulate early speech and language development is by reading to your child every day. This helps them learn new words and improve their listening skills. You can also try singing songs and nursery rhymes together, which will introduce them to the rhythm and cadence of language. Another great way to encourage communication is to talk to your baby often, using simple phrases and sentences. Describing what you’re doing as you go about your daily activities will help them start to understand the meaning of words. Provide plenty of opportunities for your child to practice communicating with others. Playdates with other babies or toddlers, visits to the park, or even short conversations with adults and older children will all help them develop their social skills and learn how to communicate effectively.
Conclusion
As it can be seen, there is no definitive answer to the question of how many words an 18-month-old should be saying. Each child develops at their own pace and has different levels of language ability. However, parents should not be overly concerned if their child’s vocabulary does not match up with what is considered “normal” for a certain age group. Instead, they should focus on providing plenty of stimulating activities that will help their little one to develop at his or her own rate and in ways that are most comfortable for them.
