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Communication
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Understanding
Signs & concerns
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Understanding
Signs & concerns
When a child in your care isn't yet communicating
If a child in your care isn't yet showing communication, respond warmly to every babble, glance and gesture, narrate the day in simple words, and create reasons for the child to point, reach or vocalise. Communication includes connecting — eye contact, shared smiles, following a point — not just words. If the child isn't pointing, responding to their name, babbling or using gestures by the expected ages, or has lost a skill, arrange a developmental check now. This is a reason to assess early, not a diagnosis, because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerAt What Age Should a Child Communicate?
Communication develops from birth and blooms fastest in the toddler years: babbling and pointing by 12 months, single words by 18 months, and two-word phrases by 24 months. Understanding and gesture matter as much as words. Check in if there's no babble or gesture by 12 months, no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, or any loss of skills.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication milestones: what a teacher can expect in class
By age 5, most children speak in clear sentences, follow two- to three-step instructions, and take turns in conversation; teachers can expect listening, sharing ideas and group participation, with ability widening between ages 5 and 8. Flag persistent difficulty across both home and class for a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerCould difficulty with communication be a sign of a developmental delay?
Yes, difficulty with communication can be an early sign of developmental delay, but on its own it is a reason to observe and screen rather than worry or label at home. Between 12 and 36 months toddlers vary widely in when words arrive; what matters is the overall pattern of understanding, gestures, eye contact and steady growth. A hearing check comes first, and any loss of skills or a gap that persists across several months is worth a gentle developmental screen — early support works well because the toddler brain is so adaptable.
Read the answer AnswerDuring a home visit, what should a frontline worker observe about a child learning to communicate?
During a home visit, a frontline worker should observe how the child listens and responds to voices and their name, makes sounds, babbles or uses words for their age, and connects through eye contact, gestures and shared attention with a caregiver. These are signs to observe and note, not diagnose. A persistent pattern of limited communication, or any loss of skills, should be routed for a developmental and hearing check — early support never waits for a label.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a frontline worker escalate a communication delay?
A frontline health worker should escalate whenever a child clearly lags expected communication milestones, or loses words or gestures once present, without waiting. Key red lines: no babbling or pointing by 12 months, no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, or any loss of speech, social skills or response to sound at any age. These are reasons to refer for assessment — not a diagnosis — because early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerIs communication delay a red flag warranting developmental referral?
Yes — persistent difficulty acquiring communication (ICF d3) is a clinical red flag warranting developmental referral. Watch for no babble by 9–12 months, no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, any regression, weak joint attention or gesture, and apparent non-response to sound. Audiology precedes language work. Guideline consensus (AAP, NICE, ASHA) supports referral on screen failure or persistent concern rather than watchful waiting.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal that my child is not yet showing communication?
Between 3 and 7 years, children communicate at very different paces, and communication means far more than talking — it includes gestures, eye contact, listening and turn-taking. Many quieter or slower-to-talk children catch up well. Seek a calm developmental check if your child shows very few words, little gesturing, limited eye contact, no response to name, or loss of a skill — not as a diagnosis, but because early support works best at this age.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal that my toddler is not yet showing communication?
Toddlers develop communication at widely varying paces, and communication means far more than spoken words — it includes pointing, gestures, eye contact, shared smiles and responding to their name. A gentle developmental check is wise if your child shows little of any of these, has very few words for their age, or has lost a skill once gained. This is not a diagnosis — it simply means early support can begin if needed, and reassurance if all is well.
Read the answer AnswerWhat are the red flags in Communication development?
Red flags in communication development include limited eye contact or shared smiling in infancy, no babbling by 12 months, no single words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, any loss of words or skills once gained, and few gestures like pointing or waving. Communication has a wide normal range, so these are signs to observe and act on early, not to diagnose at home. A persistent or widening delay, more than one area affected, or any loss of skills is always worth a prompt check — starting with hearing.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should a frontline worker check during routine visits?
On routine visits, frontline workers should check that a child listens and responds to sound, babbles, uses gestures, says first words by 16 months, and joins two words by 24 months. Act on any loss of skills or parental concern, refer for a hearing check in parallel, and route delays for a developmental assessment.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 12-to-18-month-old have reached?
By 12–18 months most toddlers say their first words, point to share interest, follow simple one-step requests, and use gestures like waving. Understanding outpaces speech at this age. Consider a developmental check and hearing test if there are no words, no pointing, no response to name by 18 months, or any loss of skills.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 18-to-24-month-old have reached?
By 18–24 months most toddlers grow from about 20 words to 50+, start joining two words, follow simple instructions, and point to share interest. Communication has a wide normal range — steady progress matters most, and a clinician can guide you if words feel slow.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 2-year-old have reached?
By age 2, most children use 50+ words, begin joining two words together, follow simple instructions, and point to name familiar objects. They understand more than they can say. A gentle check is worth it if your child uses very few words, isn't combining words, or rarely gestures.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication milestones for your 3-to-6-month-old
By 3–6 months most babies coo, gurgle and laugh, smile back at you, turn towards voices and sounds, and take playful back-and-forth turns. Milestones are guides, not deadlines — but if your baby doesn't smile, make sounds or react to sound by 6 months, ask for a developmental and hearing check.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 3-year-old have reached?
By age three, most children speak in short three-word-plus sentences, follow two-step instructions, ask questions, and are understood by familiar adults much of the time. These are guideposts, not deadlines — every child grows at their own pace, and one missed step alone is rarely a worry.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 4-year-old have reached?
By four, most children speak in clear 4–5 word sentences, tell short stories, follow two-to-three step instructions, ask many questions, and are understood by strangers about 75% of the time. Children bloom at their own pace; a friendly speech check helps if your child is rarely understood, isn't combining words, or has lost skills.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication milestones for your 5-year-old
By five, most children speak in clear full sentences strangers understand, tell short stories, ask many questions, use correct grammar, and hold real conversations. These are signposts, not a stopwatch — a friendly screen helps if speech is unclear or sentences stay very short.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my 6-to-9-month-old have reached?
Between 6 and 9 months, expect babbling with repeated syllables, turning to voices, beginning to respond to their name, and using sounds, smiles and gestures in playful turn-taking. These are guideposts, not a strict checklist — babies vary, and warm daily talk helps most.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication milestones for your 6-year-old
By six, most children hold full conversations, tell connected stories, follow multi-step instructions, speak clearly to strangers, use mostly correct grammar, and begin linking sounds to letters. Children vary; steady progress matters most. Seek a check if speech is unclear, instructions are hard to follow, or communicating causes frustration.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication Milestones: 9-to-12-Month-Old
By 9-12 months most babies babble in long strings, respond to their name, understand "no", wave and point, and may say one or two meaningful words by 12 months. Gestures matter as much as words. These are guides, not deadlines.
Read the answer AnswerWhat Communication milestones should my newborn have reached?
Newborns (0–3 months) communicate through crying, calming to a familiar voice, brief eye contact, and — around 6–8 weeks — first social smiles and cooing. They have no words or babble yet, and that is completely normal. Respond warmly to every cry and coo to build the foundation for language.
Read the answer AnswerCommunication Red Flags That Prompt a Developmental Referral
Refer for developmental assessment when communication milestones are absent or regressing: no babble by 9 months, no gesture by 12 months, no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, or any loss of speech or social skills at any age. Regression, absent joint attention and parental concern warrant prompt referral, paired with audiology. Avoid a wait-and-see stance for absent milestones or skill loss.
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