Unlocking the Language Milestones: A Guide to Expressive and Receptive Language Development in Children Ages 12-36 Months

As parents and caregivers, watching your little one grow and develop can be incredibly exciting! Between learning to walk to saying their first word, it feels like every day brings a new milestone.

But what if those milestones don't come when expected? How do you know if your child’s language development is on track? Understanding what is typical for kids between 12-36 months can help give you clarity and confidence. Let’s take a closer look at the expressive and receptive language norms for children during this stage, but first we need to understand the difference between expressive and receptive language.

What is Expressive Language?

Expressive language refers to the way a child communicates their thoughts, needs, and ideas. This can include speaking, using gestures, and even non-verbal communication (like pointing or waving). When a child is using expressive language, they are producing sounds, words, or signs to share with others.

What is Receptive Language?

Receptive language, on the other hand, involves understanding what others say. This skill is about a child’s ability to listen, process, and comprehend language, even if they aren’t yet able to speak or express themselves fully.

Language Milestones for 12-36 Months

Here are some key milestones for both expressive and receptive language development in this critical age range:

12-18 Months (Around 1 Year - 1.5 Years):

Expressive Language:

- First words appear around 12 months, often with "mama," "dada," or simple sounds.

- By 18 months, many children use a minimum of 5 words, an average of 20 words, and others use 50+ words

- Imitation at this age is common—children love to imitate sounds, animal noises, and words.

Receptive Language:

- Around 12 months, children may respond to their name being called or to familiar people.

- By 18 months, many children can understand simple commands like “come here,” “give me the toy,” or “wave bye-bye.” - Children at this age are also starting to understand basic 'wh' questions and may respond with a single word, sound, or gesture

18-24 Months (1.5 - 2 Years)

Expressive Language:

- A vocabulary burst is common, with some children using 100+ or more words by 24 months.

- Simple two-word phrases begin to appear, such as “want cookie” or “big truck.”

- Children may start combining words to express needs, questions, or ideas.

Receptive Language:

- By 24 months, most children can follow simple instructions like “put it in the box” or “give it to me.”

- They begin to understand more complex questions such as “Where is your nose?” or “Can you point to the ball?”

24-36 Months (2 - 3 Years)

Expressive Language:

- Vocabulary continues to grow rapidly—by age 3, many children use 200-1,000 words and short sentences (3-4 words).

- Pronouns like "I," "you," and "me" are often used correctly.

- Your child will begin to ask questions (“What’s that?” or “Where are we going?”).

- Clearer speech patterns and more frequent use of verbs and adjectives will be noticed.

Receptive Language:

- By 3 years, most children can follow multi-step directions like “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”

- They understand more abstract concepts (like “on top of” or “under”) and can identify objects and people in pictures or books.

- They may start answering “yes/no” questions, identifying common objects, and pointing to familiar people or animals in books when asked.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While every child develops at their own pace,

there are some signs that may indicate a need for further evaluation.

These include:

- By 18 months, your child has fewer than 10 words.

- By 2 years, they are not using two-word phrases.

- They have trouble understanding simple directions.

- Speech is unclear or hard to understand, even for close family members.

If you notice these concerns, it’s a good idea to reach out to a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation. Early intervention can make a huge difference in supporting your child’s language development.

Tips to Encourage Language Development

As a parent, there’s so much you can do to encourage your child’s language growth:

1. Talk about what your child is doing and what you are doing: Comment on what your child is playing with and narrate what you’re doing throughout the day. For example, “We’re putting on your shoes now” or “Look at the red truck.”

2. Read together daily: Share books with your child, comment on things your child is interested in and model full sentences when book reading. For example, "The bunny is hopping". You can also use books to build receptive language by asking questions about the pictures and encouraging them to point or name things in the book.

3. Use gestures and signs: Pair gestures with words that are meaningful and functional to your child. Simple gestures like waving or using signs can help your child communicate even before they can say the words.

4. Give them time to respond: Sometimes, children need a little extra time to process what you’re saying and respond. After you provide them with a model, resist the urge to answer for them! Give them time to take a turn!

5. Expand on your child's language: When your child says something, repeat it back to them with more detail. For example, if they say, “dog,” you might say, “A big dog.”

Between 12 and 36 months, your child’s language skills develop at a rapid pace. It’s a time of learning and discovery, both for expressive language (what they say) and receptive language (how they understand). By being supportive, patient, and engaged, you’ll help foster a rich language environment that will benefit your child as they continue to grow and communicate with the world around them. And if you ever have concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional who can guide you through the process.

Remember: Every child is unique, and they all grow at their own pace. Celebrate the milestones, no matter how big or small, and enjoy watching your little one’s language skills blossom!

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About the Author:

I’m a licensed speech-language pathologist with years of experience helping children and families navigate the exciting world of language development. Whether it’s helping kids say their first words or supporting them through speech challenges, I’m passionate about making communication easier for everyone.