Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general milestones that help us know whether speech and language skills are progressing as expected.

If your child is not meeting several of the milestones below, a speech therapy assessment may be helpful.

COMMUNICATION MILESTONES

12 Months

Expressive Language (what your child says)

• Babbles with different sounds (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)

• Uses gestures like pointing or waving

• Says 1–2 simple words (e.g., “mama,” “dada”)

Receptive Language (what your child understands)

• Responds to their name

• Understands “no”

• Looks at familiar objects when named (e.g., “Where’s the ball?”)

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is very quiet and not babbling

• Does not respond to their name

• Is not using gestures like pointing

18 Months

Expressive Language

• Says around 10–20 words

• Tries to copy words

• Uses gestures and sounds to communicate needs

Receptive Language

• Understands simple instructions (e.g., “Give it to Mum”)

• Identifies familiar people and objects

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Has fewer than 10 words

• Is not attempting to imitate sounds

• Seems to have difficulty understanding simple requests

2 Years

Expressive Language

• Uses 50+ words

• Starts combining 2 words (e.g., “more milk,” “mummy up”)

• Names familiar objects

Receptive Language

• Follows simple 1–2 step directions

• Understands basic concepts like “in,” “on,” “more”

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is not combining words

• Has fewer than 50 words

• Is difficult to understand

• Becomes very frustrated when trying to communicate

3 Years

Expressive Language

• Uses 3–4 word sentences

• Asks simple questions

• Speech is understood by familiar adults most of the time

Receptive Language

• Follows 2-step instructions

• Understands basic “who,” “what,” and “where” questions

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is hard to understand

• Is not using short sentences

• Struggles to follow instructions

• Is not interacting socially with peers

4 Years

Expressive Language

• Speaks in longer sentences

• Tells simple stories

• Uses most speech sounds correctly (though some sounds like “r,” “th,” and “l” may still develop)

Receptive Language

• Understands concepts like big/small, same/different

• Answers “why” questions

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is frequently difficult for others to understand

• Leaves out sounds in words

• Has trouble answering questions

• Shows signs of stuttering that persist

5 Years

Expressive Language

• Speaks clearly in full sentences

• Tells detailed stories

• Is understood by unfamiliar listeners

Receptive Language

• Follows multi-step instructions

• Understands time concepts (yesterday, tomorrow)

• Answers a range of question types

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is still very difficult to understand

• Struggles to express thoughts clearly

• Has difficulty following classroom instructions

Speech Sound Development Guide

By:

• 3 years → Strangers understand about 75% of what your child says

• 4 years → Speech should be mostly clear

• 5 years → Speech should be clear to unfamiliar listeners

Some later-developing sounds (like r, th, l) can continue refining into early school years.

Trust Your Instincts!

If you’re worried, it’s always okay to ask. Early intervention is gentle, play-based and focused on building confidence. If you’d like clarity about your child’s speech or language development, you’re welcome to book an assessment or reach out for a chat.

Reference: Speech Pathology Australia. (n.d.). Communication milestones [Information on child speech and language development]. https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Speech-development/Communication-milestones.aspx (speechpathologyaustralia.org.au)

Many toddlers go through phases of picky eating. It’s common for children to suddenly refuse foods they once loved, prefer beige or crunchy foods, or eat only a small variety of meals.

But sometimes picky eating can be more than a phase.

Feeding challenges can relate to sensory sensitivities, oral motor skills, anxiety around food, or early negative experiences with eating. The good news is that Little Oak Speech provides support that is gentle, play-based and focused on building positive experiences with food, without forcing or pressuring your child.

If mealtimes feel stressful, exhausting or restrictive for your family, you’re not alone. Early guidance can help reduce pressure, expand food variety and rebuild confidence at the table.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s eating is typical or would benefit from feeding therapy, you’re welcome to reach out for a chat.

FEEDING MILESTONES

6–9 Months

• Accepts smooth purees

• Begins exploring thicker textures

• Opens mouth for spoon

• Shows interest in food

• May begin soft finger foods by 8–9 months

🚩 Consider support if your baby:

• Frequently gags or vomits on smooth textures

• Refuses most solids

• Struggles to coordinate swallowing

• Shows very limited interest in food

9–12 Months

• Eats mashed and soft lumpier textures

• Begins self-feeding with fingers

• Manages soft table foods (e.g., banana, scrambled egg)

• Drinks from a cup with assistance

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is still only managing very smooth purees

• Chokes or coughs regularly with soft solids

• Refuses to touch or explore food

12–18 Months

• Eats a variety of soft family foods

• Chews with emerging side-to-side movement

• Tolerates different textures

• Self-feeds most of the time

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Eats fewer than 10–15 foods

• Avoids entire textures (e.g., only smooth or only crunchy)

• Holds food in their mouth (pocketing)

• Frequently spits out food

18 Months – 3 Years

• May go through normal “picky” phases

• Accepts foods from multiple food groups

• Eats similar meals to family (with some preferences)

• Manages mixed textures (e.g., pasta with sauce)

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Eats fewer than 20 foods total

• Only eats one brand or very specific presentation of foods

• Avoids all vegetables or all proteins

• Becomes highly distressed at mealtimes

• Has strong gagging with new textures

• Meals take longer than 30–40 minutes consistently

3–5 Years

• Expands food variety gradually

• Tolerates different textures and flavours

• Eats socially with peers at daycare/kindy

• Tries new foods with encouragement

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Is extremely limited in variety

• Has rigid food rules (e.g., no foods touching, specific colour only)

• Avoids eating in social settings

• Experiences anxiety around food

• Is not gaining weight appropriately (as advised by GP)

Reference: Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (2025). Typical and problematic feeding and mealtime behaviours. Melbourne, Australia: RCH. https://www.rch.org.au/feedingdifficulties/difficulties/Typical_and_Problematic_Feeding_and_Mealtime_Behaviours/ (Royal Children's Hospital)

It’s common for parents to notice their child not following directions, but it’s important to understand why. Sometimes it’s just distraction, tiredness, or testing limits. Other times, difficulty following instructions can be a sign of a language or listening challenge.

You might consider support if your child:

• Often seems confused by simple one or two step directions

• Frequently asks “what?” or doesn’t respond to questions

• Struggles to complete tasks even after repeated prompts

• Appears frustrated or shuts down when asked to do something

• Has difficulty following instructions at preschool or with peers

Trust your instincts. If your child consistently struggles to follow instructions, it’s worth having a conversation with a speech pathologist. Early guidance can make a big difference, helping your child succeed both socially and academically.

If you’re concerned, you’re welcome to book an assessment or get advice on strategies you can use at home.

AGE BASED MILESTONES

12–18 Months

Typical skills:

• Follows simple one-step instructions with gestures (e.g., “Give me the ball”)

• Responds to own name

• Understands familiar routines (“Time to wash hands”)

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Does not respond when called

• Rarely follows simple requests

• Seems frustrated or ignores adult prompts

18–24 Months

Typical skills:

• Follows single-step instructions without gestures

• Begins to understand familiar object names (“Where’s your cup?”)

• Can participate in simple routines (putting toys away with help)

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Frequently looks confused by simple requests

• Needs repeated demonstrations to respond

• Avoids participating in structured activities

2–3 Years

Typical skills:

• Follows two-step instructions (e.g., “Pick up the block and give it to me”)

• Understands common prepositions (in, on, under)

• Can follow routines with minimal adult support

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Often only follows the first part of a two-step instruction

• Appears to “tune out” instructions

• Struggles with tasks that require remembering multiple steps

3–4 Years

Typical skills:

• Follows two- or three-step instructions

• Understands basic temporal concepts (before/after, first/then)

• Can complete simple tasks independently when guided

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Frequently needs prompts to complete a sequence

• Misunderstands instructions even when repeated

• Difficulty participating in group activities or play due to following directions

4–5 Years

Typical skills:

• Follows multi-step instructions confidently

• Understands descriptive language (big/small, fast/slow, same/different)

• Can participate in more complex routines and classroom activities

🚩 Consider support if your child:

• Struggles with instructions in school or group settings

• Needs visual or repeated prompts for multi-step tasks

• Shows frustration or avoidance when asked to follow instructions

Reference: Child Development Institute. (n.d.). Receptive language & following instructions in children. https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/understanding-language/following-instructions/ (childdevelopment.com.au) (Kid Sense Child Development)