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Our Resources
Speech & Language Delay in Children
Speech Therapy Resources for Parents & Caregivers
Supporting your child’s speech and language development— every step of the way.
Whether you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development or simply want to understand what is typical, you are in the right place.
Here, you will find essential information about developmental milestones, signs that extra support might be needed, and simple ways you can help your child thrive at home.
What Speech Delay and Language Delay Are?
Speech delay and language delay are terms often used when children are not meeting typical communication milestones for their age, but they refer to different aspects of communication.
Aspect | Speech Delay | Language Delay |
|---|---|---|
What it affects | How words and sounds are spoken | Understanding and using words and sentences |
Manifestation | Hard to understand, unclear pronunciation | Can’t form sentences, limited vocabulary |
Comprehension Ability | Usually understands language well | May have trouble understanding others |
What Are the Milestones for the First Few Years of A Child's Speech Development?
What Are the Signs of Speech & Language Delay?
Speech and Language Development Milestones
Every child develops at their own pace, but understanding what is typical can help you spot potential delays early and seek timely intervention.
0–12 Months
Babies begin reacting to sounds, making eye contact, smiling in response to voices, and babbling with early sounds like “ba-ba” and “da-da”.
1–2 Years
Around their first birthday, children usually say their first words. By 18 months, they often have a vocabulary of up to 50 words and understand simple instructions like “come here”.
2–3 Years
Between ages two and three, toddlers start combining 2–3 words into short phrases, asking simple
questions, following two-step directions, and understanding basic concepts like “big” or “hot”.
3–4 Years
Speech becomes clearer, sentences grow longer, and children begin telling short stories. Unfamiliar adults can understand most of what they say.
4–5 Years
By preschool, children typically use complex sentences, express their feelings verbally, understand concepts like “yesterday” and “tomorrow”, and correctly pronounce most sounds.
Download our Language Development Milestones and Speech Development Milestones checklists in the gallery below to track your child’s growth.
When Should You Seek Help?
If you notice any of the following, it may be time to speak to a speech therapist:
Under 2 years
No babbling, no words by 18 months, or no response to their name.
Ages 2–3
Fewer than 50 words, not combining words by 2.5 years, or speech that's hard for family members to understand.
Age 3+
Speech is unclear to outsiders, trouble following instructions, or difficulty playing and talking with other children.
*Note for Singaporean parents
You do not need a referral to see a private speech therapist. However, if you're considering public services, your GP or paediatrician can assist with referrals to government services and intervention programmes, such as EIPIC (via SG Enable), depending on your child’s needs.
How We Can Help in Treating Your Child?
At Speech Alliance, we support a wide range of communication needs, from minor delays to complex challenges.
Speech Sound Disorders
We help children with articulation difficulties (trouble producing sounds clearly) and phonological
disorders (patterns of sound errors that can impact learning to read and spell).
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
For children who have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.
Language Delays and Disorders
We work with children who struggle to understand words (receptive language) or express themselves clearly (expressive language).
Social Communication Challenges
Some children need support learning how to interact with others, such as making eye contact, taking conversational turns, and using appropriate greetings—skills that are essential for everyday life.
Late Talkers and Early Literacy Development
We support late talkers and help children build the phonological awareness skills needed for strong reading and writing foundations.
How You as Parents Can Do to Support Speech Development?
You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Incorporating language-building into everyday routines can make a significant difference. Small moments can create powerful opportunities for communication growth.
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Narrate your activities using simple language.
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Make reading interactive—point to pictures, ask questions, and encourage participation.
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Offer choices, like “Do you want an apple or a banana?”, to encourage your child to use new words.
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After asking questions, pause and give your child time to respond.
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Prioritise face-to-face play and conversation over screen time.
Recommended Books, Apps, and Toys
All of these are fantastic for developing language, problem-solving, and social interaction skills:
Books
• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Apps
• Endless Alphabet (building vocabulary with playful animations)
• Khan Academy Kids (early literacy and language skills)
• Lingokids (interactive language games)
Toys:
• Pretend play sets (kitchen or doctor kits)
• Stacking blocks and puzzles (great for describing and following instructions)
Are You Ready to Support Your Child’s Communication Journey?
Early support can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for advice, an evaluation, or ongoing therapy, we’re here to help you and your child succeed.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how speech therapy can help.
