Verbal Expectations: 19-21 Months

Between 19 and 21 months, toddlers are rapidly building their vocabulary and discovering new ways to express themselves. They’re also becoming more responsive to what’s happening around them, making this an ideal time to support their growing language skills through fun and engaging interactions.

What Should My Child Understand?

• Follows simple instructions without gestures, like “Can you bring me the book?”
• Recognizes and looks for familiar people or objects when named, like “Where’s the teddy?”
• Understands common phrases, including daily routines (e.g., “Time for bed!” or “Let’s go outside”).
• Shows anticipation for favorite activities, like running to the door when it’s time to play outside.

What Should I Hear from My Child?

• Vocabulary is expanding and may include 50-100+ words, with new ones emerging almost daily.
• Begins combining two words to form simple phrases, like “more juice” or “big car.”
• Mimics adult speech patterns, with babbling that sounds more like real conversation.
• Imitates familiar words or phrases they hear, especially from books, songs, or daily routines.

Ways to Encourage Language Development

1. Use Simple Phrases: When your child says a single word, expand with a simple two-word phrase like “big truck” if they say “truck.” Modeling helps them learn how to build sentences.
2. Narrate Routines: Talk about what you’re doing and use simple, descriptive language, like “Now we’re putting on your shoes. One shoe, two shoes.”
3. Offer Choices: Give simple choices, like “Would you like an apple or a banana?” This approach builds vocabulary and decision-making skills.
4. Pretend Play: Engage in pretend play, like giving their teddy a “drink” or pretending to cook. This helps build both language and imagination.

A Note for Parents

Each child’s language journey is unique. If your child isn’t meeting some of these milestones, don’t panic. Every child develops at their own pace, but if you’re concerned, a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist can provide guidance.

Here are some tips for helping your baby develop speech and language skills:

• Talk to your baby often. The more you talk to your baby, the more they will hear language and the better they will become at understanding and using language.
• Read to your baby. Reading to your baby helps them learn about language and how words sound.
• Sing to your baby. Singing to your baby helps them learn about rhythm and melody, and it also helps them develop their vocal cords.
• Play games with your baby. Games like peek-a-boo and patty-cake help your baby learn about social interaction and how to take turns.

Be patient. It takes time for babies to develop speech and language skills. Be patient and encouraging, and your baby will eventually reach their milestones.

For more examples and a wonderful explanation of the developmental milestones, see the video below published by the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine:

For more info, see:
Verbal Expectations: Birth to 3 Months
Verbal Expectations: 4-6 Months
Verbal Expectations: 7-9 Months
Verbal Expectations: 10-12 Months
Verbal Expectations: 13-15 Months
Verbal Expectations: 16-18 Months