doesn't talk yet
What to do if your child doesn't talk yet
If your child isn't talking yet, keep talking, playing and reading together, watch how they communicate beyond words, and arrange a developmental and speech check plus a hearing test rather than waiting. Late talking has many causes, and early support helps powerfully. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
When the words haven't come yet, the most powerful thing you can do is gently tune in — and act early, because early support changes everything.
In short
If your child isn't talking yet, the best step is to observe gently, keep talking and playing with them, and arrange a developmental and speech check rather than waiting it out. Late talking has many causes — some children simply bloom a little later, while others benefit hugely from early speech support — and only a proper look can tell which. The reassuring truth: the earlier you act, the more powerfully you help, and most children make wonderful progress with the right encouragement.What you can do today
- Talk through your day — narrate what you're doing ("now we're washing the cup"), name objects, and pause to give your child a turn, even if they only babble or gesture.
- Follow their lead in play — get down to their level, copy their sounds, and respond warmly to every attempt to communicate, including pointing, looking and gesturing.
- Read and sing together — short, repetitive books and nursery rhymes build the rhythm and sounds of language.
- Cut background noise and screen time — face-to-face, back-and-forth interaction is what builds speech, not passive watching.
- Notice how they communicate, not just whether they speak — do they make eye contact, point to show you things, respond to their name, follow simple instructions, understand more than they say?
Understanding (what your child takes in) often comes before talking (what they put out) — both matter, and a check looks at the whole picture, including hearing.
When to seek a check
It's worth arranging a developmental and speech assessment — and a hearing check — if your child: isn't babbling or using gestures by around 12 months; has no single words by around 16–18 months; isn't joining two words together by around 2 years; seems to understand very little; has lost words they once used; or simply isn't communicating the way you'd expect for their age. You never need a 'serious enough' reason to ask — early questions are always welcome.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an app or online form. Our structured clinician assessment looks at understanding, expression, hearing and play together, so support is shaped precisely to your child. Where helpful, a tailored plan is delivered through speech therapy. Explore more on our [home page](/).Trusted sources
WHO and the Nurturing Care Framework on early communication; American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org) on language milestones; ASHA on speech and language development in young children.Next step — Wondering about your child's first words? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Consider a check if your child isn't babbling or gesturing by ~12 months, has no single words by ~16–18 months, isn't joining two words by ~2 years, understands very little, or has lost words they once used. Always include a hearing check.
Try this at home
Narrate your day out loud and pause often — 'Shall we open the door? Open!' — then wait a few seconds and respond warmly to any sound, look or gesture. These tiny back-and-forth moments build language faster than any screen.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is my child just a late talker, or is something wrong?
Many children talk a little later and catch up beautifully — but some benefit greatly from early speech support, and there's no way to tell which from outside. A gentle developmental and speech check, with a hearing test, gives you a clear picture rather than anxious waiting.
At what age should I worry if my child isn't talking?
As a guide: babbling and gestures by around 12 months, single words by around 16–18 months, and two-word combinations by around 2 years. If these aren't appearing, or your child understands very little, it's worth a check — earlier is always better.
Could a hearing problem be the reason?
Yes — even mild or fluctuating hearing loss (often from frequent ear infections) can delay speech. A hearing check is a standard, simple first step whenever talking is delayed.
Will waiting and seeing do any harm?
Waiting rarely helps and can mean missing the most powerful window for support. Arranging a check costs you little and either reassures you or gets your child help sooner.