When Do Toddlers Start Talking?
Toddlers usually start talking between 12 to 18 months of age. Around their first birthday, many children say their first real word—often something like “mama,” “dada,” or a favorite object like “ball” or “milk.” Before this, babies typically go through a stage of babbling, experimenting with sounds and tones, which helps them develop the muscle control and rhythm needed for speech.
By 18 to 24 months, toddlers begin to expand their vocabulary and may use around 20 to 50 words. At this stage, they often start putting two words together, like “more juice” or “go outside.” This marks the beginning of simple sentence formation, which helps them express basic needs, emotions, and observations. language growth during this time can vary widely from child to child—some talk a lot early on, while others take a little longer to warm up.
From 2 to 3 years, most toddlers experience a language explosion. Their vocabulary can grow to hundreds of words, and they begin forming more complete sentences. They start asking questions, using pronouns (“me,” “you,” “mine”), and following simple directions. You’ll also notice their ability to talk about things not right in front of them, like telling short stories or sharing what happened earlier in the day.
It's important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. While some toddlers talk early, others might be quieter but are still developing normally. parents and caregivers can support language development by talking to the child frequently, reading books together, singing songs, and encouraging them to express themselves. If a child isn’t saying any words by 18 months or seems far behind their peers in speech by age 2, it’s a good idea to talk with a pediatrician or speech-language specialist for guidance.
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