Speech & language
Guides on speech sounds, first words, sentences and late talking, with ideas for home — written for Australian parents.
Answering questions
Which questions children usually answer first, and how to ask one question and then wait.1 min readAsking for things
How children ask for what they want, from pointing to words, with everyday ideas that never hold back food or toys.1 min readAsking questions
When children usually ask who, what, where and why questions, and how to answer them.1 min readBack sounds: k, g and ng
How children learn the k, g and ng sounds, common mix-ups, and simple ways to help at home.1 min readch and j sounds
ch and j are later sounds. When children usually say them, common mix-ups, and ideas for home.1 min readClearer sentences
How to say your child's sentence back the usual way, without asking them to copy you.1 min readDescribing words
How children learn words like big, soft and crunchy, and how to add them to what your child says.1 min readSounds at the end of words
Why young children leave the last sound off words, when it usually stops, and how to help at home.1 min readWords for feelings
When children usually learn words for feelings, and how to name feelings as they happen.1 min readFront sounds: t, d, n, l, s and z
When children usually say t, d, n, l, s and z, the mix-ups to expect, and everyday ways to help.1 min readHow children learn to talk in words and sentences
When children usually say first words, put words together and use longer sentences, and when to get help.1 min readHow children learn speech sounds
When children usually learn each speech sound, which mix-ups are common, and how to help at home.1 min readl and r sounds
l and r are later sounds. When children usually say them, the w-for-r mix-up, and ideas for home.1 min readLip sounds: p, b, m, f, v and w
p, b, m, f, v and w: when children usually say them, common mix-ups, and ideas for home.1 min readLittle words in sentences
What little words like a and the are, and how to say your child's sentence back with them in.1 min readLonger sentences
When children usually put words together into sentences, and how to add a word or two to what your child says.1 min readHelping your child use more words
When children usually learn new words, and everyday ways to name things as you play, cook and shop.1 min readNose sounds: m, n and ng
When children usually say m, n and ng, what mix-ups to expect, and how to help in everyday talk.1 min readQuick sounds: p, b, t, d, k and g
When children usually say p, b, t, d, k and g, common mix-ups, and ideas for play and home.1 min readSaying no and disagreeing
How children use no, not and don't, and ways to use these words in your own talk.1 min readSounds together: sp, tr, bl and more
Why young children say "poon" for "spoon", when it usually stops, and how to help at home.1 min readSounds you can stretch: f, v, h, s, z, sh and th
When children usually say f, v, h, s, z, sh and th, common mix-ups, and everyday ways to help.1 min readTelling a story or what happened
When children usually talk about their day and tell short stories, and ways to talk about what happened.1 min readMy 2-year-old isn't talking: what to know
How to tell the difference between a late talker and something worth checking — and when to reach out for support.5 min readWhen should I see a speech pathologist?
A practical guide to the developmental milestones that suggest your child would benefit from a speech pathology assessment.5 min read
What the speech and language guides cover
Two guides give the big picture: how children learn speech sounds, and how children learn to talk in words and sentences. Start with one of these to see what is usual for your child’s age.
Each sound guide covers one group of sounds, such as lip sounds or the later l and r sounds, and the mix-ups to expect. Each language guide covers one skill, such as asking for things or telling what happened. Most say when children usually learn the skill and give everyday ideas for home, which work in any language you speak with your child.
If you are worried about how much your child talks, read My 2-year-old isn’t talking and When should I see a speech pathologist?, or find a speech pathologist near you.