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Parent Information

inside the Lab: what we do

Is your child experiencing...

difficulty pronouncing certain sounds?
not talking as much as other children their age?
trouble expressing their thoughts clearly?
challenges with early reading skills?
persistent thumb sucking or other oral habits?

You're not alone.  Early support can make a meaningful and lasting difference, and we're here to help.

The Evaluation Process

1. developmental assessment- we look at speech, language and emergent literacy skills.

2. communication profile- we ask the expert on your child (it's you!) important questions about the way your child communicates.

3. we create an individual therapy plan for your child's specific profile.

4. we invite you to collaborate in your child's plan.

Language Development Lab

supporting vocabulary, comprehension, expressive and receptive language

late talkers

language delays

narrative development

Speech Development Lab

helping children develop clear speech and accurate sound production.

articulation/pronunciation

speech sound disorders

lisps

Early Literacy Lab

building the language foundations needed for reading success

phonological awareness​

vocabulary​​

comprehension

Speech and Language Milestones

A Parent Guide from 12 Months to 5 Years

Supporting your child’s communication development is one of the most powerful ways to set them up for success in school and beyond. This guide outlines typical milestones for speech sounds (articulation), language development, and early literacy skills from 12 months to 5 years, along with practical tips for supporting growth at home.

12–18 Months: First Words & Early Understanding

Speech (Articulation/Pronunciation)

  • Uses simple sounds like /m, b, p, d/

  • Begins attempting word approximations (e.g., “ba” for ball)

Language Development

  • Says first words (e.g., mama, dada, ball)

  • Understands simple directions (“come here,” “give me”)

  • Uses gestures like pointing, waving, reaching

Early Literacy

  • Looks at books and pictures

  • Turns pages (may skip pages)

  • Recognizes familiar objects in books

Try This at Home

  • Narrate your day: “We’re putting on shoes!”

  • Label everything your child sees

  • Follow their lead in play and expand on their attempts

​

 18–24 Months: Vocabulary Explosion

Speech (Articulation/Pronunciation)

  • Uses more consonants: /t, n, h, k, g/

  • Speech may be unclear but improving

Language Development

  • Uses 50+ words

  • Begins combining 2 words (“more juice,” “mommy go”)

  • Follows simple 1-step directions

Early Literacy

  • Points to pictures when named

  • Enjoys repetition in books

  • Begins identifying body parts

Try This at Home

  • Expand phrases: child says “dog” → you say “big dog!”

  • Offer choices: “Do you want milk or water?”

  • Read the same books repeatedly

​

2–3 Years: Building Sentences

Speech (Articulation)

  • Speech is ~50–75% understandable

  • Uses sounds like /p, b, m, n, h, w/

  • May omit ending sounds (“ca” for cat)

Language Development

  • Uses 2–3 word sentences

  • Asks simple questions (“What’s that?”)

  • Uses pronouns (me, you, mine)

  • Follows 2-step directions

Early Literacy

  • Identifies familiar logos/signs

  • Begins to understand stories

  • Pretends to read books

Try This at Home

  • Model longer sentences

  • Ask open-ended questions

  • Encourage pretend play with storytelling

​

3–4 Years: Expanding Communication

Speech (Articulation)

  • Speech is ~75–100% understandable

  • Produces sounds like /k, g, f, t, d/

  • May still struggle with /r, l, th/

Language Development

  • Uses 4–5 word sentences

  • Tells simple stories

  • Understands concepts (big/little, same/different)

  • Answers “who,” “what,” “where” questions

Early Literacy

  • Recognizes some letters (especially in their name)

  • Rhymes simple words

  • Understands print carries meaning

Try This at Home

  • Play rhyming games

  • Ask your child to retell stories

  • Point out letters in everyday environments

​

4–5 Years: Kindergarten Readiness

Speech (Articulation)

  • Speech is mostly clear to unfamiliar listeners

  • Most sounds correct except possibly:

    • /r, l, th, s blends

Language Development

  • Uses complex sentences

  • Tells detailed stories with sequence

  • Understands time concepts (yesterday, tomorrow)

  • Follows multi-step directions

Early Literacy

  • Recognizes many letters and sounds

  • Begins to write name

  • Identifies beginning sounds in words

  • May begin sounding out simple words

Try This at Home

  • Practice letter-sound connections

  • Encourage drawing and early writing

  • Play sound games (“What starts with /b/?”)

When to Seek Support

Every child develops at their own pace, but consider reaching out to a Speech-Language Pathologist if your child:

  • Has no words by 15 months

  • Is not combining words by 2 years

  • Is difficult to understand after 3 years

  • Shows frustration when trying to communicate

  • Has trouble following directions or understanding language

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