Language is more than just words; it’s how your child connects, expresses and makes sense of the world.
From coos to conversations, the early years are critical for building communication skills.
As parents, you’re your child’s first and most important teacher.
Understanding what to expect helps you support your child better.
Here’s a snapshot of typical speech and language milestones.
At six weeks to three months of age:
- Gets quiet when hearing sounds
- Coos sounds like “aah” or “ooh”
- Turns head towards voices and noises.
At six to nine months of age:
- Begins babbling (e.g. “baa”, “maa”, “gaga”)
- Blows raspberries, squeals
- Imitates playful sounds
- Recognises own name and basic commands like “no”.
At 12 to 18 months of age:
- Says one to six meaningful words
- Understands simple instructions
- Points to body parts and familiar objects
- Uses gestures like pointing or waving.
At two years of age:
- Uses two- to three-word phrases, e.g. “Mama come”
- Vocabulary of around 50 words
- Names objects
- Joins in nursery rhymes
- Follows two-step instructions.
How parents can help
Language learning is a social process, and your child is absorbing far more than you realise during everyday interactions.
Here are some ways to promote language development:
- Talk to your child often and narrate what you’re doing, such as “Let’s wash your hands now” or “This is a big red apple”.
- Reading daily is also important – even babies enjoy the rhythm of a story.
Point to pictures, name objects, and make fun sound effects to bring the book to life.
- Singing songs and nursery rhymes helps too; the repetition and melody support memory and word recognition.
- When your baby babbles or gestures, respond as if you’re having a real conversation.
Take turns making sounds, smiling and reacting.
- Name what they see and feel – “You’re holding the ball” or “That’s a soft teddy bear” – to help them connect words with experiences.
- Use gestures alongside words to reinforce meaning, like waving when you say “bye-bye” or pointing as you label things.
- Most importantly, follow your child’s lead.
If they’re fascinated by cats on the street or a toy car, talk about that.
Their interest drives learning, and your voice is their guide.
Speech delay is not always a cause for alarm, but early identification helps.
Speak to your child’s doctor if:
- There have been no clear spoken words by 18 months old
- No two-word phrases by two years
- Difficulty understanding instructions
- Limited interest in interacting with others by three years of age.
You don’t need fancy toys or flashcards.
Your time, attention and voice are the most powerful tools.
Speak often, listen patiently and make everyday moments opportunities for language learning.
If you’re ever unsure about your child’s speech development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a paediatrician or speech therapist.
Early support can make all the difference.
Associate Professor Dr Norazlin Kamal Nor is a consultant developmental paediatrician. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
