Constantly asking, “Is this normal?” is a big part of being a new parent. When it comes to your child’s language skills, the question can seem especially pressing. We’d like to share some simple ways to assess language development between the ages of one and three.

How is your child communicating?

Perhaps the easiest way to evaluate your child's speech is to simply pay attention. Between one and three, your child should learn to point to objects and pictures, use some expressive language, follow simple instructions, and use simple phrases. They should also be able to understand simple questions and be able to say single words that communicate their needs and wants. An inability to do these things by three years old could be a red flag. Always ask your doctor if you are concerned.

Watch them at playtime.

Your child is relaxed, creative, and unselfconscious at playtime. This is a great opportunity to keep your ears perked and see how they’re thinking aloud. Do they make car or animal sounds when playing with relevant toys? This is a sign they are able to connect words with objects and actions. You’ll learn even more as your child goes from This goes from this kind of cause-and-effect play to side-by-side play, shared play, and eventually engaging in more imaginative play.

It may also help your understanding to watch how your child interacts with other children. Are they able to share, maintain interactions, and communicate with playmates? This can give you some insight into their social and language skills.

Keep a language diary.

Diarising aspects of your child’s development is generally a good idea if you have the time, as it will give your doctor lots to work with if you need to ask about something. It can also be a lovely record of your child’s language progress that you can look back on together someday. Jot down the words and phrases your child uses a lot and the gestures they like to communicate. This will allow you to monitor their behaviour and identify areas in which they may be struggling.

Try child-language assessments.

There are language assessments available for children that usually involve questions and activities to measure your child’s skills. Examples include the Language Development Survey (LDS) and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI). The results of these assessments can reassure you, but they aren’t a substitute for professional evaluation.

Consult with a specialist.

A doctor may refer you to a speech-language pathologist if there are concerns about your child’s language development. A pathologist can help increase your understanding of any problems so you can participate effectively in resolving them. This may include sharing activities that you and your toddler can do to support language development at home or some therapy sessions to tackle specific problems.

How do I assess my toddler’s language development?

From Unii’s Toddler Speech Journey, we share how to assess your child’s language development.