Answers to Your Top Questions About Speech and Language Development!
- Look Who's Talking
- Aug 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 12
As speech-language pathologists, we hear the same questions again and again from parents eager to support their child’s communication skills. From pacifiers to pronunciation, here are the answers to the most common questions we receive about speech and language milestones.
What’s the #1 tip for encouraging language development?
Wait time! One of the simplest but most powerful tools is pausing. After you ask your child a question, give them 10–15 seconds to respond before jumping in.
Even if their answer isn’t a full word yet, they might coo, babble, laugh, or gesture. That moment of silence gives them space to process and respond, and it teaches the back-and-forth rhythm of conversation from the very beginning.
Do girls talk earlier than boys?
On average, yes; girls may start speaking a few months before boys. But both fall within the normal range. If by 18–24 months your child is still only saying 2-5 words, that’s a sign it’s worth checking in with a professional. Additionally, if they are getting frustrated, exhibiting negative behaviors as a response to communication frustration or withdrawing, it's a good idea to seek professional help.
Do early talkers have an advantage later on?
Not necessarily. Some kids start speaking in full sentences early, while others take more time. What matters is that late talkers don’t always catch up on their own — about 40–50% may need extra support. Early intervention makes a big difference (getting support before 3 years old). With help, many children catch up to peers before starting school.
Can pacifiers delay speech or impact articulation?
Yes, if used for too long! Bottles and pacifiers are fine in the first year, but prolonged use can impact oral strength, tongue placement, and dental development. They also keep a child’s mouth occupied, preventing opportunities for babbling and talking.
If possible, skip the sippy cup and move straight to a straw cup around 6 months. Straw cups help babies strengthen lip closure and tongue retraction — skills needed for clearer speech.
Can baby sign language delay my child from using words verbally?
No! Such a big misconception! Babies use gestures and signs to communicate
before they are able to verbalize certain words and concepts.
There are so many advantages to sign language and gestures!
Increases communicative intent (intention to communicate rather than just get upset)
Increases vocabulary
Reduce frustration and tantrums
Increase social interactions
Teaches cause and effect regarding communication.
Is there a trade-off between physical skills and speech?
Not really. Some kids may be more active first, others more verbal, but there’s no true “trade-off.” Development in different areas varies widely, and one doesn’t hold the other back.
Will teaching two languages confuse my child?
No! Bilingualism does not cause delays. Bilingual kids may mix languages at first (known as code switching), but that’s normal. Their combined vocabulary across both languages is comparable to monolingual children.
In fact, bilingual children often develop strong cognitive and metalinguistic skills. If there’s a delay, it’s usually due to an underlying language difficulty, not the exposure to two languages.
How can I expose my baby to more language?
Talk about everything! Point out what you see on walks, name items around the house, and narrate your routines. Repetition is key, a word introduced once is easily forgotten, but repeated words stick. Songs, nursery rhymes, and books are especially effective because they combine repetition with fun. Additionally, new environments provide so much opportunity for new language and vocabulary exposure (i.e., zoo, aquarium, group classes, friend's houses, museums, etc.)
But don't forget to also leave opportunity for them to respond and reciprocate!
What actually counts as a “word”?
A word doesn’t have to sound perfect. Approximations like “wah” for water or “bu” for bus count as long as they’re used with meaning and intent.
Speech sound timeline:
By age 3: p, m, b, h, n, d
By age 4: k, g, t, f, w
By ages 4–7: most other sounds, including blends
More precise pronunciation comes later in childhood as it is natural for some sounds to develop and error patterns to fade later on. But if by age 3, your child is very hard to understand (especially to people outside the family), becomes frustrated, or is impacted socially or emotionally, it’s a good time to seek an evaluation.
When should I worry and call a speech therapist?
Trust your gut. If you’re concerned, it’s always okay to seek advice.
Red flags include:
Under 12 months: not babbling, smiling, making eye contact, or responding to sounds.
Ages 1–3: not progressing from babbling → first words → two-word combinations, frequent frustration, or not being understood by peers.
Any time speech difficulties are impacting your child’s confidence, social life, or causing frustration, it’s worth reaching out.
Answers to LWT class Questions:
Are classes for babies with delays or developmental disorders only?
Nope! Classes are for all babies and toddlers who are in the pre-verbal and early stages of language development. All are welcome to join, until they are speaking in sentences, and then it is time to move on to our Preschool Prep classes!
My baby is too young to learn to talk, so why should we join a class?
Your young baby is learning SO many preverbal language skills from just days old! In class, we focus on the building blocks of language and speech - the necessary skills before first words emerge!
Receptive language - Listening and recognizing their name, familiar concepts, animals, verbs and so much more!
Joint attention, eye contact and object permanence.
Gestures and signs to increase communicative intent.
Sensory exposure and introduction to pretend play, and functional use of toys and items.
Social language and exposure to other babies.
Pre-literacy skills (listening and attending to stories).
Classes are also for you and your caregivers! Each week a tip is provided to parents and caregivers to help them support their child's language development journey at home. Tips are geared towards your baby's age and developmental level and examples are modeled during class by certified SLPs!
My child is not yet talking and I am starting to get concerned, are classes a good gateway or substitute for an evaluation/speech therapy?
While the class is led by certified speech-language therapists, it is NOT a substitute for individualized speech therapy. If you have concerns about your child's development it is best to speak directly to your pediatrician. If you would like information for speech-language evaluations, early intervention or private therapy sessions please contact us!
We do, however, recommend classes as a supplement to speech therapy if your child is the right age/developmental level for it! This is a good opportunity to reinforce speech therapy goals and for your child to have opportunity to practice new skills!
Check out our Instagram Highlights for more Q & A's submitted by our LWT community!
Quick Reference: When to Seek Help
Red Flags by Age:
0–12 months: No babbling, no eye contact, no response to name/sounds
12–18 months: No first words, not following simple verbal directions
18–24 months: Fewer than ~10 words, limited communicative progress,
By age 3: Unfamiliar listeners cannot understand speech or child is frustrated
✨ Always trust your instincts — if you feel something isn’t right, reach out for an evaluation. Early intervention can unlock so many doors and help your child find their voice and confidence!
You got this!
Every child develops at their own pace, but knowing what’s typical and when to ask for help, can give you peace of mind. Wait time, repetition, and early support go a long way in setting the stage for strong communication skills!
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