When should my child be talking & when is it time to see a speech therapist?

Bethany Yu
6 days ago
3 min read

Speech Milestones: When to Seek Help from a Speech Therapist in Singapore with a speech therapist Bethany Yu | Total Communication | Singapore

Every parent waits for those magical first words...“Mama.” “Dada.” Maybe even something unexpected like “car” or “dog.” But what happens if those words don’t come when you expect them? Or if your child’s speech doesn’t seem to be keeping up with other kids their age?

Knowing what to expect and when to act can take a lot of the guesswork and anxiety out of the process.

Before we start, take a moment to answer this:

Which age group does your child fall under?

0 -12 months
12 - 18 months
18 - 24 months
2 - 3 years

What to expect at different ages

By 12 months

Babbling with different sounds (“ba-ba,” “da-da”)
Saying one or two simple words
Responding to their name
Understanding basic words like “no” or “bye”

Example: You call “Ben!” from across the room and your child turns to look at you. They wave when someone says “bye” and may say “mama” when you walk in.

By 18 months

Saying around 10-20 words (not always perfectly)
Pointing to objects when named
Imitating familiar words and sounds
Using their voice to get your attention

Example: You say “Where’s your ball?” and they point to it. They might copy you saying “uh-oh” when something drops or call for you with “mama!” when they want help.

By 2 years

Using two-word combinations (“more juice,” “go park”)
Vocabulary of about 50 words or more
Following simple instructions
Naming familiar people and objects

Example: At snack time they might say “more cookie.” If you say “Bring me your shoes,” they toddle off and return with them. They may point to “grandma” in a photo and name her.

By 3 years

Speaking in short sentences of three or more words
Being understood by familiar adults most of the time
Asking questions
Using language to express wants, needs, and ideas

Example: They might say “I want blue cup” or “Where Daddy go?” You can understand most of what they say, though some words may still be a bit unclear.

By 4-5 years

Speaking in full sentences
Being understood by most people, even strangers
Using grammar more accurately
Telling simple stories

Example: After preschool, they can say, “We painted a big tree and then we went outside to play.” Strangers at the playground can understand them well.

Why do some children fall behind?

There are many reasons a child might not be meeting these milestones. Sometimes it’s a temporary delay due to ear infections, limited exposure to spoken language, or shyness. Other times, it may be related to hearing difficulties, developmental conditions, or differences in how the brain processes language.

It’s important to remember: speech delays are not always linked to intelligence. Many bright, capable children just need extra help to develop their communication skills.

Early action isn’t about labelling your child. It’s about giving them the best chance to be heard, understood, and confident.

When should I consider seeing a speech therapist?

You don’t need to wait until you’re sure something is wrong. A speech therapist can help determine whether your child is simply on the later end of typical development or if they’d benefit from early intervention.

You might want to seek professional advice if:

Your child isn’t babbling by 12 months
They have fewer than 20 words by 18 months
They aren’t combining words by 2 years
Their speech is very hard to understand after age 3
They don’t seem to understand what you’re saying
They rarely make eye contact or engage in conversation
They’ve lost skills they once had

How a speech therapist helps

The first step is typically an assessment to evaluate your child’s current speech, language, and communication skills. From there, therapy might focus on:

Building vocabulary
Strengthening sentence structure
Improving clarity of speech sounds
Encouraging social communication
Coaching parents on how to support speech at home

For young children, therapy is often play-based songs, games, books, and activities that keep them engaged while building their skills.

Why does early action matter?

The earlier a speech delay is addressed, the better the chances of helping your child catch up and communicate confidently. Waiting to “see if they grow out of it” can sometimes mean missed opportunities during a period when the brain is especially receptive to language learning.

Read about Early Intervention: https://www.totalcommunication.com.sg/therapies-for-children-singapore/early-intervention

Where can I find support?

At Total Communication Therapy, we’ve helped countless children across Singapore find their voice. We work with children in clinics, schools, and even at home, always in ways that fit their personalities and needs.