Child Not Talking Yet? What Parents Can Do to Help with Speech and Language Delay
Every child has his or her own unique developmental path which will naturally progress at its own rate. When it comes to speech, we, as parents, watch excitedly for our children to say their first words. Every laughing sound combined with their first words when trying to talk represents a special occasion. These occasions can, however, turn to worry when their attempt at speech don’t progress according to their developmental milestones.
What is Speech Delay in Toddlers?
A speech delay in toddlers is when a child does not develop the physical ability to produce speech sounds or say words at the expected age. While they might understand what others say or use gestures, their spoken communication lags behind normal milestones. Speech delay is different from a language delay, which involves trouble understanding what other people say.
The Difference between Speech and Language Delay
It is important to note that there is a difference between speech delay and language delays[1], as these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
• Speech delays are when a child struggles with the physical aspects of saying sounds or words clearly.
• Language delays are when a child has difficulty understanding others or using words to express their thoughts, needs, and ideas.
What Is Speech or Language Delay?
Speech and language problems differ, but often overlap. For example:
• A child with a speech delay might use words and phrases to express ideas but be hard to understand.
• A child with a language delay might say words well but only be able to put two words together because he doesn’t understand the language.
What are the Signs of a Speech or Language Delay?
Often, it’s hard for parents to know if their child is taking a bit longer to reach a speech or language milestone or if there’s a problem.
Not all children develop at the exact same pace, but there are general benchmarks most children reach around the same time. When a child consistently falls behind in several areas, it may point to a speech or language delay.
A minority of late talking toddlers will naturally catch up without help but some toddlers need supplementary support to improve their communication skill development.
Here is a general breakdown of speech delay to watch for at different stages:
Signs and Symptoms by Age
• By 12 Months:
• No babbling or making sounds
• Not using gestures like waving or pointing
• Not responding to their name
• By 18 Months:
• Using fewer than 10 to 20 words
• Preferring gestures over sounds to ask for things
• Trouble copying sounds or understanding simple words
• By Age 2:
• Not putting two words together (like “more milk”)
• Only copying actions or speech without starting words on their own
• Hard for family members to understand their speech
• By Age 3:
• Strangers cannot understand what the child says
• Not speaking in short sentences
Signs Your Toddler May Be Experiencing a Speech or Language Delay
Between the ages 1 and 3, children are expected to go from babbling to building small sentences. The signs of speech delay in toddlers can be easy to miss because every child moves at his or her own speed, but there are a few patterns worth paying attention to.
1: Struggling to Be Understood
By age 2, parents and caregivers should be able to understand about half of what a toddler says. By age 3, that number climbs to about 75%. If your child is regularly frustrated because others can’t follow what they’re saying, that’s a signal worth noting.
2: Limited Word Use or Vocabulary Growth
Toddlers with speech delays may use far fewer words than expected for their age. They might also rely on gestures, pointing, or pulling the parent towards what they want instead of using words to ask.
3: Not Responding to Language
Speech delay is not always about how much a child says, but also involves what they understand. If your toddler does not seem to respond to simple instructions, does not follow directions, or doesn’t look up when you call their name, that is something to discuss with a professional.
What Causes Speech Delay in Children?
Understanding the causes of speech delay can help parents feel less confused and better prepared to take the next step. There is rarely one single cause. In many cases, it is a combination of factors.
Some of the most common causes[2] include:
• Hearing loss: A poor hearing ability becomes a barrier for toddlers to identify sounds and words adequately. Hearing problems stemming from either frequent ear infections or birth defects in hearing function can result in speaking delays for children.
• Oral motor difficulties: Some children have trouble coordinating the muscles needed for speech. Problems with the tongue, lips, jaw, or a short tongue tie can stop a child from making clear sounds.
• Developmental conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder[3], intellectual disabilities, and other developmental differences can all affect how and when speech develops.
• Environmental factors: When children experience minimal contact with speech and language and social situations, it causes their communication learning to progress more slowly. The development of bilingual or trilingual households may lead to minor speech delays which resolve naturally with time.
• Prematurity: Children born prematurely sometimes experience delays across several developmental areas, including speech and language.
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
This is one of the most common questions parents have. It can be hard to tell the difference between a child who is just a little slower to talk and one who genuinely needs support.
A helpful rule of thumb: if your gut is telling you something is off, listen to it. Parents often notice subtle changes before anyone else does. Waiting too long to seek an evaluation is one of the most common mistakes families make when it comes to speech delay.
There are some specific situations where reaching out to a professional right away is recommended rather than taking a wait-and-see approach:
• Your child has stopped using words they once used regularly (this is called regression)
• Your child shows little interest in communicating with others
• You notice signs of frustration when your child cannot express themselves
• Your child’s speech seems to have plateaued for several months
What Can Parents Do to Help with Speech Delay
Early educational intervention provides children with significant opportunities for catching up to their peers. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing (MASH)[4] and the Allied Health Professions Council[5] have a list of qualified practitioners. From there, you will be directed to the speech therapist of your choice.
Parents can provide home support for speech development in their children. If you need additional tips, you can read this article on teaching your child to talk[6].
• Talk and Sing Constantly: Narrate your daily routines, talk about what you see, and sing fun nursery rhymes together.
• Read Every Day: Look at picture books together daily, point at objects, and ask simple questions to build vocabulary.
• Reduce Screen Time: Avoid passive screen time, as real back-and-forth social talking helps a child learn much better.
• Offer Choices: Ask simple questions giving two specific options, such as “Do you want milk or water?” to motivate them to speak.
• Wait for Responses: Give your child extra time to answer or try to talk instead of jumping in to guess all their needs right away.
Morinaga Chil-kid
Whether or not your child has a speech impediment, don’t forget that proper nutrition supports brain growth and nerve connections needed for speech. Although it is not a direct cure or replacement for speech therapy, correcting deficiencies through specific nutrients[7] such as iron, zinc, B-complex vitamins (especially B12 and folic acid), and omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus, energy, and cognitive processing, creating a better foundation for language skills.
Chil-kid Step 3
Chil-kid Step 3 is a science-based, nutrient-dense milk formula that is specially made for children in the 1 to 3 years bracket. Children in this age group require the right nutrients as they experience significant development in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional areas, reaching milestones like walking, talking in short sentences, and showing more independence.
Chil-kid Step 4
Chil-kid Step 4 is the formula for preschoolers and school-going children in the 3+ to 9-years age group. Chil-kid Step 4 is developed based on Chil-kid Step 3 but is further enhanced with higher levels of Calcium, Vitamin D, Protein, and Phosphorus to meet the evolving needs of growing children in their Golden Age of Growth.
Chil-kid Step 3 and Chil-kid Step 4
Both Chil-kid Step 3 and Chil-kid Step 4 are designed to be one continuous journey of growth and development for the child. Both formulas do not contain sucrose and are specially formulated with optimised nutrition for Asian children according to their age groups and nutritional needs.
Morinaga Chil-kid is the result of over 100 years of child nutrition research by Japanese scientists. Everything in both formulations is backed by research and all nutrient combinations are tested and refined by the Morinaga R&D Institute in Japan.
Wholly produced from dairy farms to the packaging process in a state-of-the-art plant in the Netherlands, both milk formulas go through rigorous European Union (EU) quality control as well as a double inspection process with samples sent to Japan for a second inspection before they are shipped to Malaysia.
[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). The difference between speech delay and language delay. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10775292/
[2] Mount Sinai. (n.d.). What causes speech delay in children?. Retrieved from https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/what-causes-speech-delay-in-children/
[3] University of Utah Health. (n.d.). Autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved from https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder
[4] Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing (MASH). (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://mash.org.my/
[5] Allied Health Professions Council, Ministry of Health Malaysia. (n.d.). Practitioner login portal. Retrieved from https://mhps.moh.gov.my/mhps/index.php/auth/main_login
[6] Morinaga Milk Malaysia. (n.d.). Teaching your child to talk. Retrieved from https://morinagamilk.com.my/detail-tip-guide.php?article=T2503170446057055
[7] Expressable. (n.d.). Can natural remedies or vitamins help with speech delay?. Retrieved from https://www.expressable.com/learning-center/tips-and-resources/can-natural-remedies-or-vitamins-help-with-speech-delay