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Speech & Language Development
Understanding speech and language development
Children develop speech and language skills at different rates. While there is a wide range of what’s considered typical, having a general sense of what to expect can help parents decide when to monitor and when to reach out for support.
The information below is meant to provide general guidelines, not strict rules or diagnoses.
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Speech vs. Language: What's the difference?
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Speech refers to how sounds are produced and how clearly a child is understood.
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Language refers to understanding and using words, sentences, and meaning to communicate ideas.
A child may have challenges with speech, language, or both.
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Speech Sound Development
This guide gives parents a clear, easy-to-understand overview of how speech sounds typically develop over time and when it may be helpful to seek guidance.
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Language Skills Development
These guides provide simple, easy-to-use information about key language skills — including sentence length, questions, and spatial concepts — so you can track your child’s progress and know when to seek extra support.