My Toddler Is Not Talking Much – Is This Normal or a Speech Delay?
Speech milestones, the bilingual context in Singapore, red flags that warrant assessment, and early intervention services available locally.
Speech and Language Milestones
These milestones are guidelines, not deadlines. Many children develop slightly earlier or later and remain completely within normal range. The most important thing to watch is the direction: is your child making progress over time?
| Age | Typical Speech and Language |
|---|---|
| 9 to 12 months | Babbling, variety of consonants, may say "mama" and "dada" without meaning |
| 12 months | 1 to 2 recognisable words with meaning (e.g. "mama", "no"); responds to name |
| 18 months | 10 to 20 words; points to indicate wants; follows simple 1-step instructions |
| 24 months | 50+ words; starting 2-word phrases ("more milk", "daddy go"); strangers understand about 50% |
| 36 months | 200+ words; simple sentences; asks questions; strangers understand about 75% |
| 48 months | Clear sentences; can tell a simple story; most speech understood by strangers |
Bilingual Children in Singapore: What Is Normal
In Singapore, most children grow up hearing and speaking more than one language. English plus Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil at home is common, with a third language possibly at school. This is a huge advantage, but it can look like slower vocabulary development in each individual language.
What the Evidence Says
- Bilingual children may have fewer words in each individual language compared to monolingual peers, but their combined vocabulary across both languages is equivalent or larger
- Bilingualism does not cause speech delay
- Code-switching (mixing languages in one sentence) is completely normal and developmentally healthy
- Bilingual children show stronger executive function skills (attention, task-switching) compared to monolingual peers on average
When assessing a bilingual child for speech delay, a speech therapist will count vocabulary across all languages, not just one. A child with 30 English words and 25 Mandarin words effectively has 55 words in their lexicon.
Red Flags That Warrant Assessment
These signs should prompt a visit to your paediatrician or polyclinic for a referral, regardless of your child's language background or bilingual status:
Seek Assessment If:
- No babbling by 12 months
- Not pointing or waving by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months (in any language)
- No 2-word phrases by 24 months (in any combination of languages)
- Loss of previously acquired speech or language skills at any age (this is always a red flag)
- Does not respond to their name by 12 months
- Does not follow simple instructions by 18 months
Trust your instincts: If something feels off about your child's communication, seek an assessment. Early intervention in Singapore is available from as young as 6 months and is far more effective when started early.
Singapore Early Intervention and Speech Services
For children under 6 with developmental delays or disabilities. Apply via MOE or MSF. ECDA subsidises fees. KKH and NUH have affiliated EIPIC programmes.
Paediatric speech therapy services available. Referral from your paediatrician or polyclinic required. Waiting times can be 6 to 12 weeks; private speech therapists offer shorter waits.
Available at various clinics in Singapore. Fees range from S$150 to S$400 per session. CDA can be used at approved clinics for children's therapy. Some Integrated Shield Plans may cover speech therapy.
Read aloud daily (even before they can talk); narrate what you are doing ("Now we're washing hands"); respond to babbles and vocalisations as if they are conversation; reduce background screen noise during interaction times; sing songs with repetitive lyrics.
Medical disclaimer: this article is for general informational purposes only. If you have concerns about your child's speech or language development, consult a paediatrician or registered speech-language therapist for assessment.