Child Speech and Language
Early identification and support for children with communication difficulties supports their development and sets them up for school readiness, providing lifelong benefits in education, employment, health and wellbeing.
One in five children in Australia are not developmentally on track with communication skills when they start school
The first five years of life is a critical time for a child’s brain development, setting up the foundations for success later in life. Yet, according to the Australian Early Development Census, one in five children in Australia start school without the communication skills needed to thrive in their learning.
Early identification and support for children at risk of, or with delays or disorders with their speech, language or communication skills is critical at giving them the best possible start to life.
Unlock your child’s potential
Supporting children’s communication skills has a range of benefits:
- Confidence with communication
- Improved ability to be understood by others
- Improved social interactions
- Reduced frustrations communicating their wants and needs
- Foundational skills for literacy and learning to read and write
In addition to seeing a speech pathologist, the following are ways you can support children’s speech and language development:
- Reading stories and talking about them
- Singing songs
- Singing nursery rhymes
- Face to face play – on the ground or at eye level
- Following their interests and lead during play
- Outdoor play
- Supporting emotions and emotional regulation
- Limiting screen time both of the child and care giver
Supporting communication skills early in life, in particular during the critical time of brain development, lays the foundations that improve trajectories and unlocks long-term benefits in education, employment and health – what better gift to give to a child?
What is Speech and Language?
What is Speech?
Speech is how your child physically produces sounds to form words. It’s all about how they use their mouth, tongue, and lips to make sounds clearly so others can understand them.
Some children have trouble saying certain sounds correctly—for example, they might say “tat” instead of “cat” or “pane” instead of “plane.” These sound patterns are called phonological processes, and many of them are a normal part of speech development. However, if they continue past a certain age, they can make it hard for others to understand your child and may need support from a speech pathologist.
We work with children to help them produce sounds more clearly and confidently, using fun, play-based activities that help build their skills.
What is Language?
Language is how your child understands and uses words to communicate with others. It includes:
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Understanding language (receptive language): Can your child follow directions, understand questions, or make sense of stories?
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Using language (expressive language): Can they express their needs, share ideas, or tell you what happened in their day?
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Social use of language (pragmatics): Do they know how to take turns in conversation, use greetings, or change how they speak depending on who they’re talking to?
Strong language skills help children learn, make friends, and express their feelings. If your child finds it hard to understand or use words, we can support them with fun, evidence-based strategies tailored to their needs.
FAQ
When should my child start talking?
Every child develops at their own pace, but most children say their first words around 12 months. By 18 months, many children have around 10–50 words, and by 2 years, they may begin putting two words together (like “more juice”). If your child isn’t using words by 18 months or combining two words by age 2, it might be time to check in with a speech pathologist.
What are speech sounds and when should they develop?
Speech sounds are the sounds that put together make up words. Speech sounds develop at different ages. For example, most children have the following sounds at these ages:
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By age 3: sounds like p, b, m, t, d, n, h, w, k, g, f, y
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By age 4: v, s, z, l, sh, ch, j
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By age 5: r, zh (as in measure) th (voiced)
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By age 6: th (voiceless)
It’s normal for young children to simplify words using phonological processes, like saying “wed” for “red” or “nana” for “banana.” But if these patterns persist past the expected age, it may affect your child’s intelligibility and require therapy.
When should I be concerned about my child’s language development?
You might consider seeing a speech pathologist if your child:
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Isn’t using words by 18 months
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Doesn’t follow simple instructions by 2 years
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Uses very short phrases or is hard to understand by 3 years
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Struggles with grammar, storytelling, or making friends at school age
Early support makes a big difference, so trust your instincts if you have concerns.
You may also consider early support if your child was born with conditions that may increase the risk of communication challenges such as prematurity, genetic conditions, autism, or cerebral palsy.
How many words should my child be saying?
Here’s a general guide for expressive vocabulary development:
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18 months: 6–20 words
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2 years: more than 50 words and starting to combine into two-word phrases
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3 years: Combining words into 4-5 word sentences
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4 years: Using more complex sentence structures, combining with words like ‘and’ and ‘because’, asking lots of questions and telling simple stories
Keep in mind that understanding (receptive language) often comes before talking, and bilingual children may distribute their vocabulary across both languages.
Is it normal for people to have trouble understanding my child?
It depends on their age. Here’s a rough guide for speech intelligibility (how much people can understand your child):
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2 years: 50% understandable
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3 years: 75% understandable
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4 years: Nearly 100% understandable
If people outside the family struggle to understand your child past age 3, it’s a good idea to get a speech assessment.
What can I do at home to support my child’s communication?
You can help your child by:
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Talking to them throughout the day (even during routines)
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Reading books together and asking questions
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Expanding on what they say (e.g., they say “dog,” you say “Yes, a big brown dog!”)
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Avoiding pressure—keep communication fun and relaxed
If you’re ever unsure, a speech pathologist can guide you with simple, everyday strategies tailored to your child’s needs.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live, and gather. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise their ongoing connection to land, waters, and culture. We are committed to fostering inclusive and culturally respectful healthcare services that meet the needs of First Nations communities across Tasmania and beyond.