Dr. Ana Aznar
Table of contents
Dr. Ana addresses a parent's concern about their 17-month-old's speech, providing key developmental milestones for 18-month-olds and guidance on when to consult a doctor.
How Many Words Should a 17-Month-Old Say?
Question: “How many words should a 17-month-old say? I can't decide if my daughter is behind the curve or not.”
Dr. Ana’s Expert Answer
There is no specific word count for a 17-month-old. The general milestone is that by 18 months, a child should say three or more words besides ‘mama’ or ‘dada’. This video gives you an idea of the speech level of most 18-month-old babies. At 18 months, babies should follow one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy car, when you say, ‘give it to me’.
18-Month-Old Milestones
There are other 18-month-old milestones:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
- Moves away from you but looks to make sure you are close by
- Points to show you something interesting
- They put their hands out for you to wash them
- Helps you dress him by pushing his arm through the sleeve or lifting up his foot
- Looks at a book with you
Cognitive Milestones:
- Copies you doing chores, like cleaning
- Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy train
Movement/Physical Milestones:
- Walks without assistance
- Scribbles
- Drinks from a cup (although it may spill sometimes)
- Feeds himself with his fingers
- Tries to use a spoon
- Climbs on and off a sofa without help
When to See a Doctor
If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills they once had, or if you have any other worries, reach out to your doctor. Have a chat with them and ask for your child to have a developmental screening.
The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends that children be screened using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 30 months or whenever a parent or provider is worried. It is also recommended that children be screened at 18 and 24 months for autism.
I hope this information helps. The key message to remember is to keep an eye on your child’s developmental milestones while remembering that childhood is not a race! Milestones are meant to be informative and not to create anxiety. If you think that your child is not hitting a milestone, talk to your doctor.
Related articles:
- Developmental Milestones at 2 Years Old
- What Should a 2-Year-Old Know?
- How to Encourage My Toddler’s Speech Development
I hope this information helps! I wish you and your child all the very best.
Love,
Ana
What Are the Language Milestones for an 18-Month-Old?
By 18 months, toddlers should typically say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada." They should also be able to follow simple, one-step verbal commands without gestures, such as "give it to me." This indicates their receptive language skills are developing alongside their spoken vocabulary. If you have concerns, consult your pediatrician.
What Are the Social Milestones for an 18-Month-Old?
At 18 months, toddlers often show increasing independence by moving away from you, but will check to ensure you are nearby. They engage with you by pointing to interesting things, looking at books with you, and helping with simple routines like dressing or hand washing. These actions show their growing awareness of social interaction and connection.
When Should I Worry About My Child's Development?
You should consult your doctor if your child is not meeting one or more developmental milestones for their age, if they have lost skills they previously had, or if you have any other concerns about their development. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends developmental screenings at 9, 18, and 30 months, and specific autism screenings at 18 and 24 months.
For more information, check out these popular topics:
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- Why Is My 4-Year-Old Acting Mean After a Playdate?
Do you have any parenting questions for our parenting coach and expert, Dr. Ana Aznar? Ask for free today!
