The second year of life is a time of tremendous growth in both receptive and expressive language. From first words to two-word phrases, this period lays the foundation for future communication skills. Understanding typical 18-month speech milestones and 2 year old speech milestones can help you support your child’s development in meaningful ways.
As your child moves through the second year of life, you’ll likely notice huge strides not just in what they say, but in how much they seem to understand. This is because language development isn’t just about speaking—it also includes listening, understanding, and responding. These skills fall into two important categories: receptive and expressive language.
Receptive vs. Expressive Language: What’s the Difference?
Receptive language is what your child understands.
This includes following simple directions, recognizing familiar words, and responding to questions—even before they can answer verbally.
Expressive language is what your child says or shows you.
This could be through spoken words, gestures, or signs.
Both types of language are crucial—and they don’t always develop at the same pace. Many children understand far more than they can say, especially during the 12–24 month window.
18-Month Speech and Language Milestones
By around 18 months, toddlers typically:
- Use at least 10 words (including labels, exclamations, and social words)
- Understand 50 or more words
- Use gestures, signs and vocalizations together
- Begin to imitate more sounds, words, and actions
Imitation is key during this stage. Children learn by watching and copying the adults around them. That’s why continuing to model signs—even if your child isn’t signing back yet—can be incredibly powerful.
Signing supports both receptive and expressive language by offering a visual cue that reinforces spoken words.
24-Month Speech and Language Milestones
By 24 months, many children:
- Use 50 or more words
- Begin combining two words into short phrases (e.g., “more milk,” “daddy go”)
- Follow two-step directions (e.g., “Get your shoes and bring them to me.”)
- Ask and answer simple questions
- Show interest in naming objects, actions, and people
At this stage, toddlers are absorbing and practicing language constantly. Modeling signs alongside spoken language continues to support vocabulary growth and comprehension, especially for children who may not yet be speaking much.
How Our Classes Support 12–24 Month Milestones
Our classes are thoughtfully designed to support children through these critical stages of communication development:
- Baby Classes (12–36 months) focus on bonding, repetition, and simple signs through music and play. We support receptive language by using consistent routines and expressive language through modeling and imitation.
- Toddler Classes (21–36 months) build on those foundations by encouraging expressive vocabulary, sign combinations, and social language through interactive stories, songs, and movement.
Tips for Helping Your Child Reach Speech & Language Milestones
Knowing how to support your toddler’s language development can be confusing. To make that easier, we’ve created a new free cheat sheet just for the 12 to 24 month age group. In this cheat sheet, you’ll find:
- Familiar songs and rhymes to use with your little one
- Signs to add to the vocabulary you’re already using
- Specific strategies to encourage your child’s spoken language
It’s designed to support you in helping your child reach important milestones and to make language-building activities feel simple, fun, and doable in everyday routines.
If you’re looking for ways to help your child reach their 12-24 month milestones, our sign language classes offer a playful, engaging way to build both understanding and expression.
