Language development is one of the most closely watched developmental areas during the infant and toddler years — and one of the most variable. Understanding what’s typical, what’s a “watch and wait” concern, and what’s a genuine red flag requiring referral is important for Coquitlam parents. At Smiling Kids, our ITE-certified educators observe language development daily and flag concerns proactively. For our infant and toddler programmes: infant daycare Coquitlam | toddler daycare Coquitlam.
Typical Language Milestones for BC Babies and Toddlers
| Age | Typical Language Development |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Coos, vowel sounds (ah, oh), responds to familiar voices, smiles socially |
| 6 months | Babbles with consonant-vowel combinations (ba, da, ma), takes turns vocalizing, laughs |
| 9 months | Babbles chains (bababababa), responds to name, understands “no,” imitates sounds and simple actions |
| 12 months | 1-3 true words (beyond dada/mama used non-specifically), points to communicate, waves bye-bye |
| 18 months | 10-20 words, points to familiar pictures, follows simple instructions (“get your shoes”) |
| 24 months | 50+ words, 2-word combinations (“more milk,” “big dog”), strangers understand ~50% of speech |
| 36 months | Short sentences (3-4 words), 1,000+ word vocabulary, strangers understand ~75-80% of speech |
Language Development Red Flags by Age
Follow up with your pediatrician or request a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) assessment if:
By 6 months:
- Not cooing or making vowel sounds
- Not turning toward sounds or familiar voices
- Not smiling socially
By 12 months:
- No babbling (consonant-vowel combinations: ba, da, ma)
- Not responding to their name
- No gestures (waving, pointing, reaching to be picked up)
- No joint attention (following your gaze or point)
By 18 months:
- Fewer than 10 words
- Not pointing to communicate interest (not just to request)
- Not following simple instructions
- Loss of previously acquired words or social skills (this is always a red flag at any age)
By 24 months:
- Fewer than 50 words
- No two-word combinations
- Strangers understanding less than 25% of speech
By 36 months:
- Not using sentences
- Strangers understanding less than 50% of speech
- Difficulty following 2-step instructions
The “Late Talker” Question
“Late talkers” — children with limited expressive vocabulary but typical receptive language and social skills — are a recognized group. Many catch up to peers by age 3-4 without intervention. However, a significant minority do not, and early SLP intervention shows better outcomes than watchful waiting. The current recommendation in BC: follow up with your pediatrician at 18 months if fewer than 10 words, at 24 months if fewer than 50 words. Don’t wait.
Bilingual Language Development
Bilingual and multilingual children often have smaller vocabularies in each individual language than monolingual peers. When measuring against milestones, count words across all languages. A bilingual child with 25 words in English and 30 words in Punjabi has 55 words total — well within typical range at 18-24 months. Tell your pediatrician about all languages spoken at home.
Milestone guides: milestones 0-3 months | 4-6 months | full milestone hub.
